Hephzibah

Days 11 & 12: Something Fun & Something Up Close

2011-10-20T22:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I present to you 2 things that I love. Woot! =)

Firstly, my goal yesterday was to capture something fun. Which was difficult, since I was at work for 8 hours of the day.

However, inspiration came when I got home and saw Rosie Mae....my banjo. She is beautiful, she is one-of-a-kind and indeed: she is fun.

I love her. We don't get to spend nearly enough time together, but I always have fun when we're together.

Today I was to capture something "up close." Me up close is a little scary, but then I saw my globe. Fun fact about me: I LOVE globes. And maps. True story. So I decided to "up close" the destination I'm headed to in less than 2 days: Israel.

I am getting excited for this trip and the few minutes I got to spend with my globe reminded me to get more excited.

Days 9 & 10: Faceless Self-Portrait & Something I Made

2011-10-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm fairly certain the 30 Day Photo Challenge was supposed to be one picture every day. However, I merged days 9 & 10 into one picture. I struggled all day yesterday to think of a way to express a "faceless self-portait." I could have put up my stock signature:

(that's me!)

However, it is a depiction of my face. Which was against that whole "faceless" part of the challenge.

So instead I decided to do something a little more creative (thus accomplishing one of my original goals in this project).

I created a "mind map" of sorts. Just a little something that portrays (portraits) me, but without my face. Therefore, I give you my expression of a "Faceless Self-Portrait":

This is me. Depicted on a dry-erase board. =)

And yes, that took me all of yesterday.

When I saw today's challenge, I was a little bummed cause I thought "hey! I made something yesterday! I should have waited!" And then I realized no one's grading this: I can do what I want. So what I wanted was to take a picture of the thing I made yesterday, which was my faceless self-portrait. I feel good about this.

Tell me: what would your "Faceless Self-Portrait" say?

Days 7 & 8: Something New & Technology

2011-10-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

I wish I had been clever and done something that was both new and technological. But since I'm trying to scrimp my pennies, I can't get new technology these days. =)

So for Day 7 I thought I would share something new I purchased due to the thing I've saving my pennies for (wow...a confusing sentence AND I ended in a preposition...amazing!).

These shoes and bag were purchased last week in preparation for my upcoming trip to Israel. I needed new walking shoes and who says "no" to a reason to buy a new bag? Not this guy!

Day 8 was to "technology". Thus I present the piece of technology that allows my life to move forward on a daily basis. Oh, you'd think I'd say indoor plumbing or electricity or something? But no...my ~~brother~~ lappy. After nearly 3 years, you think we'd grow apart, but no...I love this machine. Which is pretty impressive, considering how much I hate robots (and let's face it: Macs are pretty dang close). This piece of awesome let's me do my homework, talk to besties outside of Washington, watch ridiculous YouTube videos and generally procrastinate aforementioned homework. =) So it is with much adoration, that I present my 'technology' task for the day:

Days 5 & 6: Someone I love & A Childhood Memory

2011-10-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a picture of my Grandma Dorothy. Because I love her.

Today's challenge was a picture of a childhood memory. As I thought about my grandma (because I hadn't yet posted the picture), I remembered how she used to sell Avon. Every Christmas each family member received Avon products as presents. As we got older, it became Avon makeup. Until we were in junior high, it was "play makeup" for my sisters and friends. Eventually, my Grandma stopped selling Avon. But the memories remain.

When my mom went home to Tennessee over the summer, she brought back gifts from my grandma. And of course, it was Avon makeup. Truly some of the best makeup on the planet.

Today, I'm reminded of my Grandma Dorothy. And the fact that I need to call her. I'm also reminded of my childhood and how she loved us even though she was far away.

I love you Grandma. Thanks for the makeup. =)

Day 5

Day 6

Day 4: My Favorite Color

2011-10-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

Ladies & Gentlemen,

This photo is brought to you courtesy of an attempt to not make every picture look yellow, my Community Group ladies and their awesomeness and, my favorite color: Orange.

This one might be one of my favorites so far because the cup kind of make the fireplace look like its glowing. Weird. =)

Day 3: Clouds

2011-10-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

These clouds were the only good part of Portland today. Truth fact.

Day 2: What I Wore

2011-10-10T23:33:00.000-07:00

In today's featurette, I am showcasing my new accessory, OpenDoor's "One With Them" bracelet. It's what we call an "all-arounder - the sort of thing one can wear with anything to any occasion." (Thank you Bridget Jones)

Each day I wear this bracelet to be reminded of my brothers & sisters in Christ, who are living in persecution. As I think of them, I am also reminded of others who also live in persecution for their beliefs - Christian or not.

I am of the same family of God as my fellow believers in Jesus; and I am of the same human family as all mankind and we all deserve respect. Hopefully as I wear this I won't forget that truth.

Because I'm a Lemming...

2011-10-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do a 30-Day Photo Challenge.

Why would I do this, when I don't really have a passion for picture-taking? Or have any kind of consistency to accomplish what I start?

Firstly, I want to do this for the simple reason that I DON'T usually accomplish what I start. And I want to be better about that. Maybe this will be the thing that kick-starts a routine that can be accomplished.

Secondly, I like pictures. And I like sharing pictures with you all. This will give me a reason to do so.

Thirdly, I'm hoping this will encourage my creative juices to continue flowing. I feel as though I don't have a lot of them, so I'm hoping this will be the impetus to help those out.

And fourthly, I have boundary issues. I don't (according to some people) spend time on "me." Which feels weird. But I'm hoping that this challenge will force me to think about something other than school/work/church and keep me aware of the world I live in and the fact that I too need some time.

Around week 3 I'll be out of the country, but I'm hoping to post from there. If I can't post each day, I'll post as I can or post them all in a chunk when I return.

I hope you all enjoy my photo challenge and follow along!

So...to start, here's Day 1: A Self-Portrait

I am in one of my most favorite places in the world: my bed. =)

Thanks for following!

*Sarah*

An Ode to Self-Doubt

2011-08-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

With only 2 other notable times, this summer has been one of the worst times of my life. Overly dramatic? Perhaps. But that certainly feels like an accurate description. It started with a shocking realization that I don't know (or couldn't remember how to) love Jesus. Love people? No prob (relatively speaking). Then it morphed into an uncertainty of my purpose in God's story. Which then became a significant mantra of doubt in the church as a whole. What is the purpose of the Gospel? of the story of Jesus? How does it actually change people? And why does it matter that I've given my life to it? These deeply scary questions have led to wonderings about orthodoxy and theology - how do I know who is right? If believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the base-line, does it matter, truly matter, what we believe about the rapture? about new revelation? about dancing and smoking? And if I don't know what I believe or why I believe it, do I even love God at all? And if I don't know about my love for God, what does that say about my love for humanity, which again raises the question of my purpose and that desire to which I've given my whole life?

When you're a Bible-major/Children's minister/MDiv grad student/hope-to-be missionary, these questions scare the shit out of you.

I can't remember why I love Jesus or the joy I felt in accepting His salvation. But I also can't forget that He loves me; even if I don't know why.

And I don't know what it will take to get me back. Maybe time will heal all wounds.

Can it be next summer already please?

On Why Stephen Colbert is Smarter Than Me

2011-07-29T10:24:00.001-07:00

Any long-time reader of my blog knows that I love Stephen Colbert and The Colbert Report.

At least, until he unintentionally makes me think.

I've been doing my best the last few months (years, really, but months especially) to not think. I already have to think about school and homework and church and my family and friends and my future and my past and cheese and Facebook. I don't really want to have to truly, deeply and intentionally have to think about politics. And how my actions are important. And how the actions of others who have political sway are important. It would be significantly more appealing to me to sit in my house watching Comedy Central on my computer and translating Jonah instead of seeing how much of a craphole this country is in and how millions domestically and abroad are in need and suffering and acknowledging how little difference I am making. That would be much better for me. I don't feel as responsible then.

However, as per usue, God refuses to let this happen. Which is why I've spent the better part of 2 months ignorning Him too.

Watching The Colbert Report today got to me. Stephen has been granted his SuperPAC and on the show posed the question to a political analyst - what to do with that money? It came down to: what does the SuperPAC stand for? Colbert challenged the members of the SuperPAC, of which I am one, to go to his website and help him decide what the members of the PAC stand for in order for him to figure out what to do with the money he receives.

Well, as a loyal member of the Colbert Nation, I went to the website to give my $.10 (figuratively, not literally (please, like I'm gonna give .10. It costs more than that just for the debit transaction)). As I read the phrase "What do you stand for?" it hit me that I don't know.

I don't know what I stand for.

I mean, I have values. I love Jesus. I love people. I love the Bible. I want people to know about Jesus and know His truth.

And I think that's good. Jesus wants me to do that.

But I don't think that just loving someone with my words is enough. I say I love people, but am I advocating for anyone? Do I spend ANY amount of time or money or even clearly thought out verbiage on anything remotely resembling ACTION?

The sad answer is no. I don't. And I have to think that means that I don't know what I stand for. Not completely on a religiously-inclined basis. But on a social one.

Do I stand for equality and social rights? Do I stand for fair trade? Do I stand for more available access to education and jobs? Do I stand against poverty and discrimination? If so, how do I do that? And how do I put all of those things into practice alongside, intertwined with my Christian faith?

Stephen Colbert, you are smarter than me. For a whole litany of reasons, but right now because you're asking a community of people to determine what they stand for and then to prove it. You may be doing it for a comedy bit, but it hit home with me. I'm annoyed by that.

I may be smart enough to do it. But I'm tired enough to not want to.

And that's the Word.

The Black Thumb Strikes Again

2011-06-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

Once again, I have killed a plant. By the looks of it, it was overwatered. But no...nope, it died long ago and my attempts to rejuvenate it have failed miserably.

I'm fairly sure that I'm a plant serial killer.

I need to just keep in mind that plants are not my bag, baby.

Poor, poor plant....

Talk Thursday//Mentors & Manatees

2011-05-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Currently at Veritas Church we are studying discipleship and how to make disciples who makes disciples who makes disciples ad infinitum. Because that's what we're called to do.

Now, an interesting question has come up among us (like a fungus among us, but in a good way) - what does discipleship look like? How does someone invest in someone else and walk with them through life to help them grow and mature?

It's a hard question to answer. So I thought I'd pose it to you all.

Have any of you been mentored in your life? What has that looked like? Was it a good or bad experience? And if you had the choice to be mentored, would you and by whom? If I could, I would choose Sandi Patty. Because she's awesome. And she reminds me of my mom. =)

And on a related note: if you're mentored by someone and they are the "mentor", what the world are you? We've gone with "manatee." But that just seems to...amphibian. ;)

HAPPY TALK THURSDAY!!

Talk Friday//Adulthood

2011-05-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

I just turned 26.

This number may not seem drastic to anyone else. And there may be a lot of people out there who wish 26 was the age they were turning.

However, for some reason, 26 is psychologically frightening to me. No longer am I "early-mid-20's"; I'm now "mid-late-20's." The fact that I'm significantly closer to 30 than I am to 20 is wigging me out and I'm noticing the gray hair more. It doesn't feel "cute" or adolescent that I still enjoy "Saved By the Bell" (which I totally do) or Hanson (mmmm....Taylor....). It feels slightly creepy, in fact. It also doesn't feel right that I will still stay up until 11 or midnight on weeknights, playing my banjo with friends or attempting to skateboard through the Lowe's parking lot. The fact that I still eat cereal or nachos for dinner several nights a week and that my bedroom is covered with polka dots and neon colors doesn't seem "26" to me. At 26, it doesn't seem okay to sleep in on Saturdays until 11 am or later (though, I don't know if I'll be able to change that at any age).

In my mind, "26" is the landmark age to be a legitimate adult. Time to settle in, buy a house, get married, have a career, pop out babies, drink coffee black and own sensible shoes.

But I don't want these things. Which is causing my current "quarter-life crisis." I have serious tension between what I've been trained "adults" do and the fact that I a) don't want to be an adult and b) don't want what "adults" are supposed to want. The house, the babies, the sensible shoes...none of that sounds enticing to me.

And maybe that's not what an "adult" is. Maybe someone else's perspective on "adulthood" is something altogether different and they can never own sensible shoes, watch Saturday morning cartoons and not know what they want to be yet and still absolutely feel "adult-ish." However, I'm not there. Thus the reason for the "crisis."

As with many people who go through "mid-life" crises, I too have taken up with a new hobby - just to feel young again. Or maybe to make myself think I am young? Rather than a sports car, though, I got a banjo. Which feels a little odd, considering that most banjo players have already surpassed their "middle-life crisis" (and beyond). Oh well. At least I'm managing my quarter-life crisis in positive ways. =)

So....

What is your definition of an "adult"?
Have you experienced a "crisis" - quarter? middle? fifth?
If you have, how did you handle it?

All-Nighter?! All-Righter!

2011-04-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm going to attempt something I haven't done since college.

The all-nighter.

In college, I was younger; I was able to operate on less sleep; my brain functioned more easily at night.

I don't think it works that way anymore.

However, I am prepared for this evening:

* Ample amounts of caffeine - check!

* A solid iTunes playlist - check!

* A nap under my belt - check!

* Sweatpants/fuzzy socks - check!

* Books/articles/compy - check!

* The pressure of procrastination and that if I don't get this done tonight, I fail my classes for the semester - check!

Tonight's all-nighter will be taking place at Shari's. Thank You, Jesus, for restaurants who provide unending coffee and have free wi-fi.

Hopefully I don't "Murtaugh" this up and cave after an hour or so.

Talk Thursday//I am made of bad decisions

2011-04-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

With only 2 papers, 1 final and 1 quiz, you'd think I would have the fortitude to get through this last week of the semester.

But I am made of bad decisions.

You'd think that 4 weeks from the end of the semester, with a mountain of work in front of me, I would have focused and let extraneous/fun things wait until May 7th.

But I am made of bad decisions.

You'd think that knowing that I lost 11 lbs by giving up chocolate & soda only 2 months ago would keep me from continuing to eat this crap.

But I am made of bad decisions.

And you'd think that by looking outside at the rainy day and checking the weather report that calls for rain would alert me to the fact that cloth shoes and 1/2-socks are not appropriate footwear.

But I am made of bad decisions.

Between 30Rock, Dr. Pepper, Rosie the Banjo and this season that's obviously NOT spring, I am batting .000.

Much of it is sheer procrastination (because who wants to write on the ordination of women when you can laugh at hilarious women?)...while some of it is poor planning (because of being up too late watching said show, waking up to what I assume should be spring is not wise).

What are your bad decision-enablers? What do you HAVE to do and what do you replace that with instead?

Or are you made of awesome and mock those of us with no self-control? And if so, how do you do it?

Happy Talk Thursday!

Talk Thursday//Musical Taste Buds

2011-03-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me even minimally knows that I am a country music afficiando - I practically bleed country music. (Figuratively, that is. If I were 70% country music, I wouldn't be a human. I would be...the Opry Land Theatre or something. But I digress.) My other musical preference is rap & hip-hop. If I can pop 'n lock to it, I'm gonna jam to it.

And for years, I lived under what we lovingly called my country music & rap "rocks." I like other types of music generally but when it came to getting new jams to "car-eoke" to, it was always somethin' outta Nash-Compton.

Until recently.

Within the last twelve months, I have decided to intentionally expand my musical taste buds to include things outside of my natural repetoire.

First there was the discovery of the joy that is Tyrone Wells & really, the whole "singer/songwriter" genre, including She & Him, Rosie Thomas, Jon Foreman & Joshua Radin. Much to my friends delight, I am choosing to invest in The Classic Crime, Anberlin, Eisley & Family Force 5. And currently, I'm working on new "pop" groups, such as Mumford & Sons, The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers, and Arcade Fire. These are more difficult for me because I deliberately chose to not love what everyone and their mom on Facebook & Twitter love. (I just like to be defiant.)

But 2 songs into each of these artists, I just can't say no. There's a reason people love them. And I was too stubborn to get on the band wagon.

There's couple of bands that I have yet to be exposed to, so the jury is still out on them. But in an attempt to be more well-rounded and generally awesomer, I will tour through MuteMath, 30 Seconds to Mars, B.o.B., Vampire Weekend and City & Colour. And with all the hype around Adele, I'm going to attempt her down the road.

So in our traditional "Talk Thursday" style: what's your go-to preference for music? Are you trying to expand your musical taste buds? And has this been a good or difficult process for you?

Note to Self:

2011-03-12T23:17:00.000-08:00

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever listen, read, watch or observe any doings of the westboro "baptist church" before going to bed.

It will only make you hot with rage.

The upside: you pray 1,000 harder for Jesus to move in people's hearts.

I am not generally a hateful person (squirrels, robots and bananas aside). And I try (and sometimes fail) to think the best of people and not talk bad about people behind their backs. And I try really hard to trust that the Holy Spirit actually resides in most people who profess to follow Christ.

The phelps phamily of the westboro "baptist church" is one group that I have not yet learned to do any of the above yet (Jesus is still working on me). When I think about the message of hate they spread...when I think about the havoc they wreck on lives of thousands of people...when I think about how terribly they pervert the name of Jesus Christ in the world...my heart breaks.

And they are not the only group who takes this God-awful (yes, I mean that literally) approach to human interaction and biblical reflection. There are millions of individuals who daily live hate rather than love, who show apathy rather than compassion, who proclaim God's wrath and completely disregard the joy of His mercy. And there are days when I do it as well: when I don't love those around me the way Christ asked me to, when I fail to proclaim His truth with my words and my actions, when I turn a blind eye to the "least of these."

In the moments where I realize that I too have fallen short of God's glorious intention for my life, for my relationships with others, with my relationship with Him, I think: "how much have I ruined someone's impression of Christ today?"

Seeing these people utterly pervert the message of the Bible makes it easy for me to understand why someone would gladly chose not to become a Christian. If I didn't absolutely believe that Jesus Christ is so much more than what these nimrods make Him out to be, I wouldn't allow myself to be clumped with them either.

Yet, I hold on to the promise that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He loved without restraint, He called out those hypocrites who blasphemed the name of God by turning His house into a casino, who cared more about a person's appearance than their heart, who loved themselves more than they loved the disenfranchised and the marginalized. Jesus Christ loved the broken, the down-trodden, the hopeless. He loves the single mom who has to dance exotically to pay rent; He loves the teenager hidden in the "closet"; He loves the alcoholic who panhandles for more booze; He loves the middle-class family who "do" church on Sunday, but have no idea how to follow Him once they leave the building; He loves the burn-out pastor, the woman struggling with depression, the bickering couple, the deadbeat dad, the seminary student who gets caught up learning about God rather than loving God.

None of these people are outside of the vastness of God's love. For each one, God wants to give so much more than what they think they can have. He wants to give His love and mercy and His perfect plan for relationship with Him. His love changes people; it changes people into people who love like God loves, who live like God intended them to live, who desire to be what God called them to be - holy, righteous sons and daughters of a Holy God.

"Christians" who hate don't exist. People who don't know the love of Jesus hate.

You'll know real Christians when you see them - they are messy and screwed up and broken, but by God...they love.

And I just need to pray a lot more that the love of Jesus will change a particular family in Kansas.

Talk Thursday//What Would You Do For A Klondike Bar?

2011-03-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

3.5 weeks.

That's how long it's been since I've tasted chocolate. Or soda.

3.5 weeks.

That's how long I've been slightly craving a Kit-Kat and a Dr. Pepper.

I decided that I needed a "jump start" on the weight loss thing. And these two indulgences seemed to be the best starting point. However, now that's it's been 3.5 weeks, I'm just about ready to cave. Because of this, I give you the list of what I would do for any form of chocolate or a DP:

* Dance like Shakira in front of all of my co-workers.

* Key the hood of my car.

* Kiss the bathroom floor.

* Wake up at 5am.

* Hug the cat.

* Email an ex-boyfriend.

* Turn off my cell phone for a day.

* Slap my sister in the face. (Not this one, the other one. Not necessarily because I like this one more, but because the other one is here. And she doesn't read my blog. =) )

* Hike up Tiger Mountain Summit.

That's what I would do for the sweet ecstasy of chocolate and Dr Pepper. But that's because I'm a sadist and apparently like to cause myself pain for the sake of "healthiness."

Are you abstaining from anything these days? Do you miss it? And if so, what would you do be able to indulge?

Hopefully it's not this:

Thinking Outside the Box

2011-03-05T22:48:00.000-08:00

When I lived in Maple Valley, I had this awesome shower curtain in my bathroom:

I didn't know it was possible to miss a shower curtain, but apparently it is. So since living in Auburn, I haven't had a place to put this great piece of decor.

However, today I decided to think "outside the box." Creative, decorating genius overcame me and I decided to put up a new curtain on my bedroom window:

Shower curtains are the new window curtains. Tell your friends: it's gonna be a thing. =)

Oscar Fever? At Least It's not Beiber Fever...

2011-02-27T22:25:00.000-08:00

When I was a little kid (and by "little", I mean like 5 years ago), I used to think the Oscars were one of the most important nights of the week. I also thought that any celebrity who won an Oscar or was even nominated for one was the most incredible thing since sliced bread. I pretty much assumed that celebrities got that way by jumping straight into their pants with both feet, rather than one at a time, like the rest of us lowly mortals.

But then I saw tonight's Oscars. And I was reminded that all things change. Not all celebrities are as cool as sliced bread (yeah, I'm lookin' at you James Franco). And that while I love movies, I would (generally) still prefer to watch something that was filmed in the 90's. ("Wayne's World" anyone?!)

It was a nice try, 83rd Annual Academy Awards. But either let us have Hugh Jackman/Billy Crystal back or stop kidding yourselves.

At least Beiber didn't win an award.... =)

Talk Thursday // President Sarah, Year 2035

2011-02-23T14:38:00.000-08:00

In the year 2035, somehow the American people elected a crazy gal named Sarah Lewis (if she's married, she kept her last name). It was a huge upset for the electoral process (even though there are flying cars, they still can't get ballots right in Florida), but the nation has rallied behind the new legislatures put forward by President Sarah. Enjoy a taste of what 2035 looks like:

1. All Venetian blinds have been discarded for the "naked window" look and Venetian blinds have been syphoned off for use in glue making factories (we're still not sure about the effectiveness of this process).

2. When there is a sunny day in the Puget Sound area, the 'meds & feds' take the afternoon off; everyone else has the morning off.

3. Higher education costs for middle-low class demographics are 70% paid for by millionaires who can easily foot that bill.

4. Credit cards are not sent willy-nilly to people under 40, unless they have a specific need or can demonstrate effective and positive money-managing skills.

5. For every $10 donated to an animal shelter/animal rights group, $6 of that goes to human trafficking or clean water organizations in under-developed countries.

6. Movie tickets cost $4.50 and movie theatre food is no longer highway robbery. But all you can get is popcorn and JuJuBees.

7. The Seahawks are now "America's Football Team" and most people have already forgotten about the Cowboys and the Pats. And the Steelers franchise was disbanded President Sarah's first day in office.

8. Waiting at the DMV is no longer necessary for car registration; this can now happen at your local 7-11.

9. Divorces are allowed only after a 18-month waiting period in which counseling is required and state-funded.

10. Only one commercial is allowed to be played per 20 minute increment of television.

Exceptions to this rule are the hamster/Kia commercials. Because those are hilarious.

11. For churches to keep their tax-exempt status, they have to share their resources with other churches in their denomination within a 50-mile radius.

12. You cannot change lanes in the middle of an intersection. Or on a bridge. Or in the middle of a hallway. (This last one isn't for cars; it's for people. Cause that's just annoying.)

13. Sex Ed classes are reserved for children 11+. If a child needs a sex ed class earlier for some reason, this must be a group class with parents, child & teacher.

14. A prerequisite for graduation for high school seniors is watching "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

15. Females who dress like they cannot afford an entire outfit will be given a new wardrobe care of First Baptist Podunk Town, USA.

*******

This is what I envision would happen if I were ever President of these-here United States.

If you were elected President, what new laws would you enforce? What would your lobby-hobby horses be? =)

This idea was done in part thanks to tylertarver.com. And also because we haven't Talk Thursday-ed in a while. (Yes, that's now a verb.) =)

Random Conversations in Random Places

2011-02-22T00:15:00.000-08:00

It's time again for another rousing story of "Interesting Conversations Sarah Finds Herself In When She's In Random Places", which is what I assume everyone waits for in their days. =)

A couple years ago, I shared about the Starbucks conversation; on Saturday there was another blog-worthy with a man who tried to scare me out of doing international missions (ask for that one later).

However, today's conversation didn't occur in Starbucks...no, no...it was at the chiropractor's office.

There are several reasons why I love going to the chiropractor. Getting my back fixed is one; moments like this afternoon is one as well.

Starting with the Seahawks and their stylish and practical gear, the conversation quickly turned to what I did this weekend. Well, considering that homework encompasses my life, I mentioned to my doctor that I wrote a biblical theology paper. I'm assuming he thought this was cool/interesting because for the next 10 + minutes we discussed (meaning he talked, I listened in fascination) "theoretical theological quantum physics", the Matrix and the Bible.

Now, I've never seen the Matrix ("Firefly" & Orson Scott Card tap my nerdery in sci-fi stuff), but I've read the Bible. And I've never before considered them as having anything to do with the other. Until now.

Thus, I give you the short-short version of the "theoretical theological quantum physics" as per my chiropractor:

Ok, so, in the "Matrix" people are really just warm bodies in vats run by machines (I keep saying this is going to happen!). Neo, our protagonist friend, is the sum of all the anomalies in the machinery universe. He has "free will" and can see outside of the created world that the machines have created for humanity. He is told that he is the 6th version of the anomaly so that the machines can keep "upgrading." So Neo 7.0 is just the one that we, the audience, are introduced to, but he is not the only, nor will he be the last.

At this point, I couldn't really see where this was going to tie in with the Bible, but this is what my doctor then said (Sarah's paraphrase): "It's like Genesis/Revelation - God says that in the end, He will create a new heaven & a new earth. How many times has He or will He do that? It doesn't matter for Him to tell us; what matters is His love and grace for us now. But it's an interesting theory."

And for the last 6 hours, I have been turning this over in my head. I have since come up with 3 thoughts (yes, only three):

1. It's really moot for God to tell us if we're the 2nd or 6th or 12th version of heaven & earth. And we're never going to know that this side of heaven. What does matter is that God loves us and has asked us to demonstrate this love to the rest of the world. I've been so annoyed in one of my classes this semester - Christian Theology 2 - because we go round and round and round about whether or not someone can lose their salvation and if all are elect or if there is an "elect" and if babies go to heaven when they die. Yes, those are important things to talk about and consider and hammer out biblically. But at the end of the day, the biggest thing that matters, no matter what side of an argument you land on, is the fact that God loves us and wants us to love Him and others in return. It's irrelevant for Him to give us all the details about His character, His plan for the universe, history, future, etc because the biggest thing to know and acknowledge is His love.

2. That guy is smart. And I'm a little jealous.

3. My life is hilarious. I get to have the greatest conversations in the most random places and carry them around with me forever. So many reasons to keep going back to the chiropractor. =)

This concludes Sarah's random conversation of the day with her doctor. However, I am curious: have ya'll had an awesomely random conversations lately? And what do you think of the "theoretical theological quantum physics" theory?

The Problem With Thinking

2011-01-25T22:30:00.000-08:00

The problem with thinking is that it makes my brain hurt.

The problem with thinking is that I can't get out all the tangled mess that's in my head.

The problem with thinking is that it so rarely turns into action.

The problem with thinking is that I don't know if what I'm thinking is crazy.

The problem with thinking is that I don't know if what I'm thinking is right.

The problem with thinking is that if what I am thinking is right then how do I help other people think like that, turn that into action and promote the Kingdom of God on earth?

The problem with thinking is that so often it just feels like I'm spinning my wheels.

I think I'll stop thinking now....

Back to School//Round 5

2011-01-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

It's that time again.

The time I have to slow down on the movie-watching, book-reading, free-time-having, state-hopping activities and buckle back down into school.

It's now time for coffee-guzzling, textbook-reading, late-night-having, exam-cramming, list-making, hour-by-hour-planning, classroom-sitting, 6-hour-commuting, brain-dead-walking once more.

Complaints aside I'm excited for the classes I'm enrolled in this semester. Project-heavy, but will be purposeful for ministry and applicable for my life. (I hope.)

Are ya'll back in school this semester? If so, what transitions are you trying to make again?

Happy back to school, Spring 2011!

Talk Thursday // Still Holdin' On

2010-12-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

When I was in junior high boy bands were incredibly prolific. Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, 98 Degrees, O-Town...you name it, we knew 'em. I was never one of those screamy, crying girls who wept over the prospect of seeing one of these bands live (usually), but I will admit that I loved every one of them. My sister and I weren't allowed to hang posters of boys on our walls, but I had a binder full of TigerBeat and Teen HeartThrob pages cut out and stuck in page protectors.

As much as I loved Backstreet Boys and N*SYNC and all those guys, there was a band that I loved the most. My binder had the lead singer about every other page and I distinctly remember writing our names together (SL + TH). I kept it under wraps because it was the source of a lot of mockery. However, I'm older now and a little more secure in my identity. So I'm just going to claim this...

I loved Hanson.

Yeah, these kids.

And you know what, I still love Hanson.

I have been waiting for years for another Hanson album (and waiting to get the courage/self-esteem to admit this love). But now it's finally here...

It's an excellent album. And it satisfies both the junior high Sarah's love for Hanson & the 25-year-old Sarah's need for good music.

Most of you probably had a celebrity crush once upon a time. Maybe admitting it forced you to endure much mocking. Maybe you still harbor this love secretly.

But let's get it all out there...

Who were you all about back in the day? Was it mock-worthy? And if they put out a new CD/movie/book/TV show how soon would you snatch that up?

(And Taylor Hanson, if you're reading this, I still love you. =) )

Sermonizing

2010-12-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

Today is my day off, so I once again find myself at Cutter's Point Coffee in Covington, hoping to get a sermon on the 10 Commandments busted out here soon. I am having a hard time trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. I'm preaching this sermon at a conference next week as well at my church. So I have to think about both of my audiences. And the 10 Commandments cover a wide spectrum of things to discuss.

I know today's not a "Talk Thursday", but if you were going to hear a sermon about the 10 Commandments, what would you want to know about them?

Luckily, I have all the fixin's for a productive day...

Here's to a good day of writing. Cheers! =)

Talk Thursday // "In the Schrute family..."

2010-12-23T09:13:00.001-08:00

It's no secret that this blogger loves her some traditions. It's kind of amazing that I'm not Catholic or Jewish or something because I love traditions and ritual. It makes me feel connected to things that are bigger than just me.

That being said, we Lewis' have some Christmas traditions. Christmas itself is pretty freaking awesome, you know, the birth of Jesus and all. But these Lewis family traditions make it so much more anticipatory! (Is that even a word?!) When/if I ever get married, I'm not sure how much I'll be willing to flex on giving some of these traditions up or "renovating" them. Maybe it's good I don't want to get married - I'm far too selfish. =)

But in Hephzibah list-style of awesomeness, here's some of the Lewis' family traditions that I am looking forward to (again) this year:

* Christmas Eve light-looking

* An entire bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider in my stocking

* Making & eating sausage balls

* Watching "White Christmas", "The Christmas Box" & "Little Women"

* Going to a Christmas movie

* Listening to Harry Connick Jr's "When My Heart Finds Christmas", Steven Curtis Chapman's "Music of Christmas", Avalon's "Joy" & CeCe Winans Christmas albums on repeat until I can't yuletide no mo'!

* Hopefully a potato famine story from my dad

* Getting worked up when I see the 3 Wise Men in a Nativity Scene =)

And our newest tradition that I hope only has to be intermittant:

* Skyping with the Sister & BIL, which for long periods of time is slightly awkward, but always awesome.

I love Christmas. Mostly because I love Jesus, but also because I appreciate the fact that its a time for us all to stop what we're doing and be together, even if "together" means Skype. It's a time to be with people who know you and love you and want to share in traditions together.

So, what are some of your traditions?

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Talk Thursday//Final Countdown

2010-12-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

It's 6.15 pm on Thurday night.

Thursday night of finals week.

And what exactly am I doing?

Writing a Talk Thursday blog.

Not writing my BIB 501 paper.

That's due midnight Saturday.

Two days to end this fall term.

One paper, one Hebrew exam.

And it's over. But I can't rally.

Anyone else feel like this?

Thiiiiiis close to the end...

But no gas left in the tank.

If you're in this boat with me,

And you have no ooomph left,

Let us know what you're doing

and what you're doing to rally

Till the bitter end of this time.

(And is it supersad how excited

I am to get these lines to match

in length for this entire post???

I'm a mega-nerd and really need

to consider getting help. Yeah...)

Surprises

2010-12-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Let's be real: most of our mothers are not "ghetto fabulous." Generally they don't even know what that means. But sometimes they can surprise. I present textual proof of that.

A verbatim text from my mother this morning at 8.44 am:

Mom: Forgot to tell you there was a girl with apple bottom jeans at church on Sunday. I had never seen them before! She was not going low low low and she did not have boots with the fur. :0)

Most. Amazing. Text. Ever.

Thanks Mom. =)

Talk Thursday//Year In Statuses

2010-12-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

Like many people, I am sucked into random things on Facebook. It's like a Mecca of time-wasting. Everyone knows it...everyone judges it. And since I have much to do and no time to waste of COURSE I spent time last night making one of those now popular "My Year In Statuses" things.

As I perused and picked my Facebook statuses from the last year to add into this collage, I saw that every other status was about one of 4 things: coffee, music, homework, or the weather.

Part of me wonders if that's really what my life revolves around or if that's just what gets put up on Facebook or are those two the same thing? As I look back over 2010, I see homework, stress, Veritas, and my family. But apparently I talk about coffee more than I talk about my church and the weather more than my family.

And I wonder if that's ok.

Now, normally people wait until December 31 to post about poignant year-reflective things, but we're ahead of the curve here. =)

So...if you were to make a list of what it is that you spent your time talking about over 2010, would it be the same thing that you spent your year doing? How did you spend 2010?

Monday Is A Good Day for Bad Poetry//Finals Week ed!

2010-12-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

Festive Christmas lights are a-twinkle,
Wrapping paper is about to unwrinkle.

Laughter and joy abound in the streets
And smiles and coffee are shared when people meet.

But what does this Yuletide season mean for those of us in school?
That in fact we are sinking in a finals week frenzied pool.

While papers need writing,
Its lack of motivation I'm fighting.

Greek is turning my brain to slush,
while Hebrew is furthering making it mush.

Why, God, why do I continue to invite punishment?
These classes are causing me grave astonishment.

One more week of which to push through
then I can happily skip in the morning dew
At least until after New Years
then once again I will need a few beers
to make it through another semester go-round
where you can find me banging my head on the ground.

Talk Thursday//Things that make the baby Jesus cry

2010-12-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

1. Cold oatmeal

2. The smell of broccoli soup in enclosed spaces

3. Farmville

4. Wet socks

5. Tepid bathwater

6. When cell phones say "No Service"

7. Cats

8. Blue Christmas lights

9. Dropping food on a solid colored shirt

10. Greek homework

This list felt more like an anti-Oprah's favorite things list than things that make the baby Jesus cry. But I was going for seasonal relevance.

We have good things. Like steak...hamburgers...football...glitter. Then we all have bad things. This is not to be a Debbie Downer, but let's admit it: sometimes things are stupid.

So, what things in your world are the worst? What things do you think make the baby Jesus cry?

This Is What Happens When Adults Take A Snow Day

2010-12-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

It is once again winter in the Evergreen State. Not just the rainy kind of winter,but blizzard-Alaskan-super-charged winter. For two days the state was practically shut down due to ice and snow. And as a lemming, I decided to take a snow day. My roommate had a late start to her work day, so we decided that it wouldn't be a snow day without playing. Here is picture evidence that adults can play in the snow too. =)

The view from our front yard yesterday morning.

We were bundled and ready to play!

My BA snow angel.

Janet working on her snow angel.

We tried to make a snowman, but we're not so talented, thus it became....

A snow alien!

The day also consisted of a huge pot of coffee while writing a huge paper and a frozen, slippery walk to the deli. It was delightful and a great reminder that sometimes, even adults, need to stop and enjoy the snow. =)

Happy winter, friends!

Talk Friday//Thanksmas

2010-11-26T13:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I was so busy stuffing my face and cheering against the Cowboys that I completely forgot to put up my Talk Thursday!

And as much as I love "giving Thanksgiving a chance" I must admit, I get far more excited for the day AFTER Thanksgiving.

Is it the shopping?, you ask.

HECK no. (That is so vehemently no that were this not a family-friendly blog, there would be expletives there.)

Is it the cold turkey sandwiches and sausage ball leftovers?, you ponder.

Ehh...Slightly.

Is it the fact that I can now listen to as many Christmas jams as I want completely guilt-free?

Absolutely.

As you are all (or should be) well aware, I am so against Christmas music before the day after Thanksgiving. However, today is Friday. Some people call it "Black Friday" - I call it "Steven Curtis Chapman/Amy Grant/NSYNC/Harry Connick Jr On Repeat" Day or SCCAGNSYNCHCJORD if you will. (Tell your friends - it's gonna be a thing). Today through December 27th I will delightfully and deliriously listen to a barrage of Christmas music - old, new, croonie, poppy. My ringtones have been set (The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Sleigh Ride" and "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies"), decorations will go up tomorrow and Christmas movie watching will commence soon.

So in the general fashion of a holiday mash-up:
What are you thankful for on Black Friday? Do you celebrate Christmas starting in August like the retail stores or do you wait for this day?

Happy Thanksmas! =)

Talk Thursday//Awkward Turtle

2010-11-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

One of the greatest and most awkward games to play (in my humble opinion) is the Fortune Cookie Game. If you've never played it, you've likely lived under a rock for the last 82 years and you've obviously never had Chinese food with me. (And if the latter is true, let's go eat. I love sweet 'n sour chicken!)

But for any "newbies" out there, what you do is after eating your delicious and not-at-all nutritious sweet 'n sour chicken and moo goo gai pan, you enjoy a tastless, origami-cut cookie. When you get your fortune out, whatever it says, you tack on "in bed" at the end. Ex: "A thrilling time is in your immediate future....in bed." Or: "Your everlasting patience will be rewarded sooner or later...in bed." Giggling ensues, awkwardness commences...it's delightful. Unless you eat Chinese food with your parents/grandparents. Then intense amounts of blushing occurs but nothing is allowed to be verbalized...cause that's worse than awkward...that's awkWEIRD.

I love awkwardness. Mostly because I have no filter. And no shame. But also because I LOVE to tell stories. And awkward moments make the most amazing stories. Fortune cookie moments invite awkward, but so do other things.

Like getting caught checking out the ring finger of an incredibly good looking guy to hear "Yeah, my wife likes those same cups that you're holding in your hand."
Or
Running into a lightpole because you were too busy flirting than looking where you were going.
Or
Having a texting conversation about your ovaries with a boy you just met. And now will never likely talk to again.
Or having a piece of paper fall out of your Bible with a memory verse from 1 John on one side and the words "sex kitten" on the other. While in the seminary lounge. With seminarians around.

Wow...those were all about boys. And personal. You're welcome. =)

So since today is Talk Thursday and we like to share things:
What is the most awkward moment you've ever had? And how do you generally respond to super-awkward things? Do you invite the awkward (ie: the Fortune Cookie Game) or just fall into it (like whenever you're around a member of the opposite sex)?

Spirals

2010-11-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

Discouragement is the vacuum of life.

But not in a cleanliness way.

It sucks out all joy.

All hope.

All possibility.

Discouragement drains the soul, leaving despair in it's wake.

Despair enables a negative perspective on everything.

Nothing is going...

Can go...

Or will go right.

No one can empathize.

And no one can understand.

Despair leads to a lack of faith.

In ourselves...

In our futures...

In our presents...

In God.

And once we've lost that....

We've lost it all.

On Why Being Human Sometimes Sucks

2010-11-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

YesterdayI had to recite Genesis 1.1-5 in Hebrew to my professor and then read aloud Deuteronomy 6.4-9 to her. Because of the tremendous difficulty of this situation I forewarned her that sometimes, when I'm stressed and discouraged and I forget things and though Jesus and I are working on it, sometimes I swear.

I did not expect her reaction.

She laughed and said that it was her most favorite reading ever. And we hadn't even started yet. This made me feel good. Then when she composed herself (which was only barely composed) she said, "That is so refreshingly human, Sarah. I really appreciate that." This comment made me feel...not as good. And it took me well over an hour to be able to figure out why her comment said completely in kindness and as a compliment made my heart hurt a little.

I have tried to live my life as transparently as possible. 98% of the time I am the same Sarah on Friday nights that I am on Sunday mornings that I am on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Obviously there are moments where I want to hide who I am (there's that pesky 2%) and I'll lie and distort who I am. And I also understand that there are situations that require less..."flamboyant" Sarah - ie: for work there is more structured behavioral expectation and maybe not swearing in from of my Orchard kiddos. But 98% of the time my personality doesn't change.

While I truly believe this is a good thing and that Jesus wants us to live our lives in vulnerability and openly and honestly about who we are in Him, there is still a tension.

As someone who wholeheartedly believes in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, I also believe that the same Spirit that rose Jesus Christ from the dead resides in my body. And I believe that the Bible tells us that those who are in faith in Jesus are to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh (see the apostle Paul's discussion as it is pretty much a word-for-word screen shot of my brain).

We are called to live honestly, openly, vulnerably in communion with one another and with God in the hope that others will desire to be open and vulnerable and honest with themselves and with God. To this end I generally succeed.

However, we are also called to live holy lives, to be set apart, to walk by the power of the Spirit. Therein lies my tension.

As a seminarian, I am around a lot of very...I don't think pious is the right word...people. They are not "holier than thou" teetotalers, but they love Jesus with all their hearts and they talk about that and sometimes it makes me feel...too human in comparison. Because more often than not I find myself living completely in my humanity more than I find myself desiring to live as a holy child of God, physically, emotionally, mentally... Living in my humanity is comfortable, it is easy. I don't have to strive to be anything more than what I am. And I think God loves that. He wants us to just be.

But I know that He wants more for us as well. He wants us to live justly and love mercy and walk humbly and have our minds dwell on good things. But my humanity is so much more accessible. And that's frustrating.

I love that my Hebrew professor felt that my vulnerability made me more "human" and hopefully she felt the freedom to be vulnerable as well - since that is the goal.

But some days I wouldn't mind being told that it was refreshing how much my speech caused someone else to love Jesus.

Guess that's just the human in me though.

Non Date Date

2010-11-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

So I'm going on what I call a "non date date" tonight.

I say it's a non-date because I asked (and tradition tells that girls don't ask boys out on dates (apparently traditionalists don't live in Seattle)) and because it was a fill-in situation thing - extra concert ticket for cute boy. =)

However, I am calling it a pseudo-date because a) it's a concert w/ a boy b) there has been much flirting and c) I spent WAY too much trying to plan this outfit. =)

I haven't dated in EONS of time (see last HORRIFIC date experience) so I'm a little concerned about how awkward I am. And I am indeed awkward.

So, what's a non-date to you? What's considered a date? How do people know?!

What a world, what a world, what a world, what a world.....

Talk Thursday//An Attitude of Gratitude

2010-11-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden it's November. I don't know about ya'll but I did NOT see that one comin'. But here in the Northwest, it's been lovely. Crisp, cool days, a whistle of wind, leaves fluttering down - not quite crunchable, but almost.

However, I know that when the skies turn and the rain comes and stays. And stays....and stays...my attitude will also turn.

Lately I've been noticing that my reaction to my day is more closely linked to my attitude than the circumstances that arise. Some people have just sucktackular days - nothing goes right and calamity after calamity after calamity occur. Others have just crappy attitudes about random stuff - calamities or not.

I definitely fall into the latter category. My attitude drives my day and generally, it's not a good one. Grumbling and complaining about nothing and everything have become almost as much a part of my speech as conversations about Dr. Pepper, missing my sister and loving Veritas have been.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, Talk Thursday and this crisp fall day: Do you possess an "attitude of gratitude" in the midst of even sucky circumstances? Or do you allow your attitude, in either good or bad situations to drive your day? If the latter, do you have any inclination to change this habit or are you ok with it?

Happy Thursday, kids!

Church, Children & the Living Dead

2010-10-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

If you know anything about me (Hi! I'm Sarah Lewis, by the way!) you know that I love the Bible. And if you know any secondary thing about me, you know that I don't care for children. There are other things that you likely know but those are the two pertinent to this conversation.

However, because God thinks He's sooooo funny, He has put me into a ministry that I NEVER expected to be in, nor did I ever expect to love. Since January 2010 I have been serving as the Director of Children's Ministry (the Orchard) for Veritas Church. It is extremely administrative (which I love) and it is kids-y (which I'm learning to be ok with). In spite of having no idea what I'm doing and consistently feeling like I'm going to ruin these children forever, God has continued giving me a spirit of purpose and intentionality for teaching these kids the truth of His word.

As the Director I've had the opportunity to decide how the curriculum will work and what our kids learn about the Bible and Jesus. And I've come to a deep-set conviction that kids should be as engaged with the Scriptures as adults are. Suuuure, they may not grasp it all, but if they can be exposed to the truths of Scripture early enough, it may not be as unfamiliar to them later in life. Therefore, whatever sermon series our adults are learning Sunday to Sunday is the same series that our kids will be learning (with some exceptions). We also hope that this will enable more ability for families to interact with the Bible and what they're learning.

All that to say: I'm having a great time.

However, since we've been writing (for the most part) the children's lessons alongside the sermons, I have had to write (with significant help!) the majority of the lessons. I was so hopeful that the internet would give me all that I needed. Boy, was I wrong! But since we've developed lessons for these kids, I thought it would be wrong not to share them.

Thusly, I am posting all of the lessons from our Fruits of the Spirit series and the Living Dead series on my other blog: Priscilla's Ponderings. Feel free to share them with your church or children's minister or use them for whater'e you need. We teach our kids to share, so I ought to practice it with ya'll! =)

Keep in mind that these lessons are designed for our very small church, with very limited resources. But they could easily be adapted for any size church or setting.

Hope you enjoy! (And if you don't, please don't tell me, cause I'm sensitive.) =)

Talk Thursday // Halloween

2010-10-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I had extremely conservative parents. We were not allowed to trick or treat, talk about witches, ghouls or vampires, and all Halloween festivities had to be done under the guise of a "Harvest Party." Now as an adult, I just don't care for Halloween. I've never cared for scary movies, slutty costumes or masks (they give me the heebie-jeebies). Therefore, Halloween has never held much excitement for me. My Halloween tradition has become watching "Luther" after whatever Halloween party I attend (I like candy & people, therefore I'll go to a party).

However, since its Talk Thursday and I can smell pumpkins & candy in the air, mingled with the stench of costume sweat, let's take a Halloween survey:

1. How did you celebrate Halloween growing up? Or did you at all?

2. What is your favorite Halloween-esque movie?

3. Do you have any Halloween traditions?

4. What are your plans for this Halloween weekend?

5. What will you be dressing up as?

This picture still cracks my stuff up.

Happy Halloween!!

Monday is a Good Day for Bad Poetry

2010-10-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Fall is here

Winter grows near

Rain drips, drips, drips through the trees

And causes the falling down of brightly colored leaves

Cider, cocoa & coffee sound delighfully warm

This time of year makes me greatly miss Memorial's dorm

Pumpkins are being carved

While we're beginning to pull out the scarves

Soon the frost will come

Which is totally dumb

Much like the progression of these rhymes

But I thank you anyway for your time(s)

Go crunch a leaf

Or eat a bowl of soupy beef

Enjoy this season of fall

And I will bid adieu to you all.

Talk Thursday // Fanilow

2010-10-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

I once met Sandi Patty.

It probably would rank as one of the top 3 moments of my life.

If I could remember it.

However, I was so excited I blacked out from sheer joy of meeting one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world. (If my mom ranks as an 11/10 on the awesomeness scale, Sandi is like 10.95/10.) My mom tells me that I talked about how much I loved her "Friendship Company" tape when I was four and that we've had a 19-year relationship that she knew nothing about. Then she signed my Bible. I suppose if anyone was going to sign my Bible, it might as well be Sandi Freaking Patty.

Now I know that most of you are thinking "what is the opposite of name-dropping?" It would in fact be name-dropping Southern gospel singers. Or NHL players.

However, it is a pretty big deal to meet "celebrities" (in my opinion). Cause I'm a fanilow. (Two sitcom references in one post. Bonus points if you get them!)

So today's Talk Thursday is one of my most favorite "ice-breaker" questions:

If you could have lunch with anyone famous (dead or alive) who would it be? And a follow-up, have you met anyone famous? Have any good name-dropping stories?

And as another no-name-dropping bit o' awesomeness, at the Gaither concert last weekend I got to (re)meet Wes Hampton! And he remembered me from last year's Alaskan cruise! What a night! What a moment!

Talk Thursday // Old People's Rocktober Fest

2010-10-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is going to be legen-WAIT FOR IT!-DARY! "Why?", you ask. Let me paint you a picture....

I'm gonna put on some bling...tease my hair...and put on a nice pants-suit. Oh yeah. Cause this gal is hittin' the town for the Gaither Homecoming Concert in Tacoma! My mom, my 76-yr-old Nanny and family friend Sue are accompaying me to this party of awesome.

Oh will they sing "He Touched Me"? You know it.
Will they sing "Because He Lives"? Without a doubt.
Will I cry? For shiz.

We'll get to hear the Isaacs, GVB, Charlotte Ritchie, & Lynda Randle, among others. I could not be more excited. It starts at 3pm. Because the party starts early w/ the Gaithers! Word.

I get excited about old people music. I get excited about country music. About Hebrew. About Bible trivia. About Jeopardy.

All this to say that I'm a nerd. And I accept this. I get mocked a lot for these things. And I deal with that.

So what gets your motor revved? What odd things do you like that earn you a river of mockery? How do you deal with this? Do you embrace who you are as an oddball? =)

And, please, in the comments section, try to keep your jealousy over my Gaither attendance at bay. It'll be hard, I know, but.... ;)

Guidelines for Coffee Shops

2010-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

If there was a sport that involved the number of coffee shops visited in a single day with varying coffees tried I would be the Michael Jordan of this game. One might even call me a "coffee shop connoisseur." Because of the amount of homework that I have and my inability to focus anywhere with internet, I utilize coffee shops. I'm not necessarily partial to one type of coffee shop: This last Saturday I was at Panera with a cup of drip in the morning, that afternoon I was at Starbucks with a peppermint mocha and at a indie coffee shop (Zola's in Auburn shoutout!) with a cup of blackberry coffee in the evening.

Due to my extensive experience in and around coffee shops, I would like to share my observations and give some "guidelines" for acceptable Coffee Shop Hopping (CSH, if you will). These should help you a) get the most out of your coffee shop experience and b) keep from committing any CSH faux pas, which might result in getting a sneezer.

1. The Look
When you go into a coffee shop, always look like you're going to be there a while. Unpack a bag of books and papers or get out your worn copy of War & Peace. Make it look like you're about to snuggle into that oversized chair for the rest of the afternoon. This way the baristas think you could possibly buy coffee & food - every baristas hope! Now we both know that you won't be there after that first cup, but it's nice to share hope.

2. The Drink
Order either a grande or a venti cup o' joe. If you get a tall, everyone knows that you aren't planning on being there very long, which goes against the look that you're trying to establish. But since this may be your 1st or 6th cup for the day, always get a venti ice water. Then you can drag out the game a little longer.

3. The Work
In order to fully utilize the coffee shop experience, get right to work whatever you have to do. Don't dilly-dally or putter. As soon as you have coffee in hand or even while you're waiting, get everything set up. This then allows you to look like you mean business. But also, since you know you're not going to get a 2nd cup (cause let's face it, who orders a 2nd cup?), you have to work fast enough to keep pace with your cup of coffee. (This is also where the water comes in handy - if you drink coffee that fast, you'll need the water as a buffer for your poor kidneys.)
I made the mistake earlier last week of staying too long and not keeping up with my coffee and having to ask them to re-heat my coffee. I received many derisive looks for this. I'll assume it was because I was making them re-heat my coffee rather than the assumption that it was because I was taking up space.

4. The Shut Down
When you're down to the dregs OR you have completed some work, sigh loudly. This signals to the people within hearing range that you're moving on, but not necessarily because you want. Make sure to look at your watch a lot during these last few moments. That way you can let the coffee shop know that "it's not you...it's time." And they'll be more willing to let you come back again.

5. The Hop
DO NOT GO IN TO ANOTHER COFFEE SHOP WITH A CUP OF COFFEE ALREADY IN HAND. I shouldn't have to capitalize that, but the point needs to be made. That's like being dropped off for a date by the last date. Awkward for everyone involved. This is where the sneezers come in. If you have another cup of coffee in your hand, then everyone knows you're just there for the free wi-fi and not for the beans. And it's about pretenses, people.

Sure, you could just kick it at one coffee shop for an afternoon, hoping that the barista there will be cool with it. And you could buy two cups of coffee and be real about the fact that they have internet and good coffee and you have neither of the above. But where would the fun be?

Are you a coffee shop hopper extraordinnaire? What tips/tricks do you have?

Talk Friday//Expectations

2010-10-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

There is something that is coming in my life that is slated to be my new most favorite thing ever. I have been waiting for this for as long as I can remember and it is finally arriving. I would liken this expectation to how your IT friends felt when Halo:Reach came out. (Yes, it's THAT big.)

What am I talking about?

Let's be real, what else would I talk about?

Wal-Mart.

They are building a new SUPER WAL-MART in Auburn! Granted, it's only about 5 miles from the other Super Wal-Mart. But that's 5 miles closer to where I live. And I could not be more pumped.

I watched with joy when they started making the frame of the building. When the parking lot was being paved, it was all I could do to not drive down and claim my parking spot. Those little blue & red posts have gone up in front of the store and I keep seeing Wal-Mart trucks being unloaded in the back. All we're waiting on now is the sign - that bright, delightful, flourescent sign that shouts from the highway "I'm Wal-Mart! You're welcome."

There is no shame in my Wal-Mart lovin' claim. I will continue to hope and wait for the day that I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy something...anything....because I know I can get whatever I need there. Wal-Mart has never disappointed. (Ok, there was that ONE time but honestly, how could Wal-Mart have expected that I would need white posterboard last minute? I forgive this.)

Some people might say that this is a ridiculous thing to be expectant for. But somethings are like that - in all honesty, our expectations aren't for anybody else. They just make our days a little brighter.

So what are you waiting for? Is it something ridiculous? Is it something awesome? Let's be real, is it the caliber of a SUPER WAL-MART less than 6 miles from my house?! What's coming up that you're super stoked about?

Dr. Freud? A Moment Please

2010-10-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

Which of the following is not true about my most recent dreams?

A. Reggie & Ladye Love Smith yelling at me while Michael W. Smith (no relation) laughs at me because I can't scrape an ice rink?

B. Being involved in a group psychiatry ADD assessment where they refer to Jesus as "Patrick" and my best friend performs an interpretive dance for Jesus/Patrick as a cracking egg?

C. Mistakenly sending a text message and subsequently defenestrating myself in horror as a way of escape from the ramifications of said text?

D. Creating a life-size Shark/Whale exhibit in a hollowed out boat hull with a team consisting of a small child, a 40-year-old HS dropout and (I think) Mel Brooks?

If you answered "None of the above", you would be totally right.

Apparently, my subconscious is a crazy person. If I didn't know better, I'd say this was a result of too many drugs/alcohol. But I know better. Maybe I should lay off the Dr. Pepper....it must be getting to me.

Is anyone out there a dream interpreter? Cause I have some questions for you!

Talk Saturday // A Repeat

2010-10-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

Life is cyclical. Situations come & go, but inevitably, the same ones always return. We live in a world of repeated action. The stupid rarely grow wise and the penalties for actions reveal themselves again and again.

I could be talking about something political or life-altering. However, as we all well know, I rarely talk about those types of things.

No, no, I'm talking about exegeticals. Back in 2007, I wrote a post on my xanga (it's ok, no one else remembers what a xanga is either):

From April 2007: "It Sounds Like a Cuss Word"

Yeah...it's exegetical time again. My only one for the exegetical semester, but I've put it off until...now. 6 days, 21 hours, and 40 minutes and I'll never have to write another one. Ever exegetical again. What will I do with myself? It's kind of a scary exegetical thought.
This one is for Jesus class. 2 exegetical parables: Matthew 25.1-13, the parable of the 10 Virgins (just cause I want to write virgins - ha) and...I have no clue for the second exegetical one. Anybody have any ideas? Help a sistah out.
Why am I playing on exegetical xanga, when I REALLY ought to be writing? Cause I'm an exegetical slacker, that's why.
One to go! Push ahead! - nope, my exegetical pep talk to myself isn't working.
Well ya'll....I'll be in the exegetical library if ya need me...attempting to write.
Exegetical...

In re-reading this post from well-over 3 years ago, I realize that at that moment in time, I was certain that I would never write another exegetical again. Yet here I am...three semesters into graduate school, 2 exegeticals behind me, 5 due this semester and an unspecified number beyond that.

Why!?

Because life is cyclical. And I'm a glutton for punishment.

So today I pose a question: what in your life do you find yourself repeatedly doing that you thought you'd never do again? Are you back in school? Are you dating stupid people? Are you watching Anaconda yet again? (It's just so dang engaging!) Life is cyclical, so what bike do you keep riding?

Happy exegetical Saturday.

Talk Thursday // ENFJ

2010-09-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

So I don't know if many people know this about me, but I'm an extrovert. "Whaaaaaaat?!", you say, "Sarah Lewis? An extrovert?! Shocking!" (Yes, I can hear what your minds are thinking...creepy, huh?)

Well, this little known secret about me is now out: Myers-Briggs told me that I was an extrovert. In fact, I scored at nearly 100% on the Extroversion scale (I don't know if there's actually a scale, but for a fake statistic, a scale is necessary). But Myers-Briggs also told me that I was several other things: iNtuitive, a Feeler (hehehe) and a Judger (this one we knew).

Answering questions about myself is one of my most favorite past-times. So I will assume that you all like doing it too. Therefore, today's Talk Thursday has two-parts: go to this site, take the Myers-Briggs indicator test and then come back here and let us know what you are. If you already know your "type", I will allow you to forego/forgeo/forgo* the 1st step.

Do you think the type assigned to you matches you very well? Do you like being put in a personality box? What kind of box knife do you use to get out said box?

*I apparently can't spell and have no desire to check word, even knowing that I may potentially get hounded by people for forgoing/foregoing/forgoeing this simple step. It's about principles, people.

Talk Thursday//Frankie Say Relax!

2010-09-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

There is a lot that ends up on our plates throughout the day. Between work, school, kids, projects, family responsibilities, or life in general there is a lot to deal with. And it gets hard to figure out how to balance it all. Much less do it with as little stress as possible.

But Frankie say relax and quite frankly (bahahaha), we need to do it.

So in honor of Talk Thursday, I present to you a topic of discussion (cause that's how I roll):

What causes you stress? And how do you take the time to eradicate said stress? What are your modes of relaxation?

Maybe something that you do helps someone else here figure out how to relax (and believe me, I'm going to be trying all your suggestions!). I am terrible myself about taking specific time to do something not-required from my life. Or if I do, I just end up feeling guilty about doing so. But that's not relaxing. And I don't want to disobey Frankie. =)

(I so hope this song is stuck in your head the rest of the day. Because it now sure as heck is stuck in mine!)

I Heart Fall (and I don't "Heart" a lot of things)

2010-09-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Much of this blog has been spent bemoaning the fact that I am cold. And that this frozen tundra of Seattle has little to offer in the way of summer.

However, this last weekend reminded me of a true love: autumn. Why this sudden shift in allegiences?

The answer, my friends, is simple:

Football.

College ball was on Saturday (though not as much as I would have prefered) and NFL on Sunday. The weather was perfection. It felt like a text-book perfect autumn day - windy, crisp, and the sounds of football coming through the TV receiver.

So the next time you catch me whining that I miss summer or being warm or swimming or needing to shave my legs, you just remind me that it's football season and all is right with the world. Then you can punch me in the face.

(The aforementioned agreement is only in effect until February when football season ends, basketball is dominating the sports networks, & I'm wearing a parka. Then I'm free to go to town on how much I hate cold weather & miss summer.)

Talk Thursday//Holy Book-Burning, Batman!

2010-09-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not a political person. Not even a little. I can spell politics (see first sentence), but I long ago stopped trying to care. It was a lot of effort and a lot of headache and quite frankly I'm just lazy. The majority of my political knowledge came from "The Colbert Report", while a necessary part of my lust for Stephen Colbert (mmmmm), it did not seem to be the best way to get good information regarding the nation & world.

However, even in my laxidaisicalness, I have heard of some goings-on. And what better way is there to commentate on something than ignorance? (see most of your friends political Facebook status updates)

Apparently some "christian" organizations/people have decided to burn the Qur'an as a statement for...something. I heard a radio clip of a pastor saying that people groups in & outside of America burn the flag & burn Bibles so why shouldn't "christians" be allowed to burn the Qur'an? Sure it's an argument, but it's about as flimsy as a bikini on Pamela Anderson - it's there, but it doesn't really do anything.

Now I don't know who these pastors/organizations are (I"m lazy, remember?) but I'd like to leave them with a word from the Bible (which I have to assume they aren't reading much of right now):

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor...Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12.9-10, 14-19, & 21)

This is Paul's message to the Roman churches. He was exhorting them to do these things - these things that Jesus taught His followers to do. It may just be me, but burning someone else's sacred book doesn't fit in well with this (or any other New Testament exhortation).

So in the spirit of Talk Thursday, the day we talk about things, let's rap*. If you're a believer in Jesus, what do you think Jesus would do? (oh! Hey 1995!) If you're not a believer in Jesus, do this seem representative of the Jesus you've heard about? And if you can answer this, please do: why are people ^#*@&&%@) crazy?

*If you're going to be pourin' some Haterade on people in the comments be forewarned - I will delete it. I have that right (considering this is my blog). This includes hating on both misguided fundies & the Muslim community. Open discussion does not equal open hostility. Thanks!

3 Down, 3 to Go...

2010-08-30T23:16:00.000-07:00

In the traditional "Back to School" style (traditional as in I did this once....like 2 years ago):

Distraction-enabler - I mean! Computer....check!

Adorable notebooks....check!

Enough pens/pencils for the entire seminary....check!

The realizations that:

a) I'm apparently making it EXTREMELY obvious that I'm a girl in primarily a men's world & that:

b) all these patterns together would make Tim Gunn cry.... CHECK!

Alright, kids....I'm off to school!

Observations

2010-08-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

* Life is better when it is sunny

* Power-walking up a huge hill sucks

* Power-walking up a huge hill is necessary when your office has supplied you with an endless stream of carbohydrates during your workday

* Goldfish crackers & coffee do not mix well (either in the same container or in my mouth)

* Not all people needing a mental health appointment are crazy

* A diet of straight country music can only last so long

* A diet of straight Dr Pepper & coffee is bad for your kidneys

* A diet of straight vegetables is bad for...your chocolate intake

* It's not until you're about to obtain it do you realize just HOW exciting the prospect of getting health insurance is

* It's not until you realize how excited you are about health insurance that it becomes evident that you've become an "adult"

* Twitter is made all the more fun when the phone alert is birds chirping

* Twitter is made all the less fun when it comes straight to your phone as a text message

* With school starting in a week, getting the homework done early seems preemptive, but delightfully fulfilling

* I have missed blogging and all that it entails (not to be confused with entrails...I don't miss those)

Talk Thursday // Chatty Cathy

2010-07-15T23:00:00.001-07:00

Out of the blue phone calls from random friends inspire one of two things in me: fear or excitement. My first inclination is to assume that they are calling to tell me that someone died, that they themselves died or are badly injured, that they're in town for one day and I'm busy, etc et etc. Sometimes I will push myself out of the cave of neuroticism where I typically live and just be excited to talk with long-distance friends. (Today's conversation was the latter, in case you were curious.)

Sometimes you can have conversations just for the sake of conversation. And that's ok. It builds relationship and helps give you a common ground on which to stand with someone else. Sometimes you have conversations to accomplish a goal and hopefully the end of the conversation provides the results. And sometimes you have conversations that challenge and convict and illuminate. Many conversations span those three things and then some.

What kind of conversation do you typically enjoy most? Random? Poignant? Short? =)

Do your conversations leave you wanting more, wanting you to challenge yourself and be challenged by others?

How do you feel when you see a random, non-expected name pop up on your phone? (Or am I the only crazy one out there?)

Music 101

2010-07-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that music is a big part of my world. I mean, I can't handle silence at all...I need music in the background just to stay focused.

However, it's hard for me to find new music that I enjoy. I attribute this to the fact that I live under a country music rock. And really only get out it to enjoy some Southern Gospel now & then.

Lucky for me I have friends who are more well-rounded in terms of music and are willing to educate me in the ways of great music. And lucky for you, I'm willing to share. =)

So, just for your enjoyment, here are the Top 5 best musicians I've been introduced to this year and that you also should love....(in no particular order):

3. Tyrone Wells: Jason Segel may need to move over as my celebrity BF. Minus the fact that he's married and famous, Tyrone is perfect. =) But this guy's vocals are killer and even his covers are astounding. PLUS, he's a Washington state local. Gotta love 'em homegrown (and bald) =) This is my current fave Tyrone jam:

5. Dierks Bentley isn't necessarily "new" to me, but this new album of his is. And it's seriously awesome x's infinity. This is for lovers of Bluegrass and all things Appalachian.

Watch the YouTube vid here!

(sorry YouTube was dumb and wouldn't let me embed it, but still totally worth it)

2. NeedtoBreathe: if you like Kings of Leon, you'll enjoy this band's sound. Seriously good driving music. Here's my personal fave, "Girl Named Tennessee."

4. Family Force 5: some friends have been trying for 2 years to get me to listen to FF5; however, they are very nearly "scream-o" rock and I said Nyet! But, at a music festival they played at, I was actually digging most of what I heard. I was totally down with them until they had robots on the screen dancing. So I had to bail...BUT! They are still good and worth listening to if you can handle loud and raucous music that isn't country-based. Well, except for this song. =)

(best part of this: the mullet-as-weapon beat-down at the end)

1. JJ Heller: Christian indie folk-esque. Like Ingrid Michaelson with a Jesus slant. =) Her songs move me. Especially this one.

Talk Thursday // Reasons Why Summer Rocks

2010-07-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

Today, I was once again ghetto fabulous and grabbed my lawn chair from my car and kicked it in the GHC parking lot for a solid 30 minutes soaking up the rays (since it is 90 degrees here in the PNW!!!!!!!!!!).

As I was reflecting over the awesomeness that is, in fact, sunshine, it hit me that I have not always been a summer girl. Years ago, I was a mild weather person, often cold weather suited me just fine. I loved wearing scarves and hats and mittens and drinking cocoa and bundling/cuddling under layers of blankets. In the last 3 years, a shift has occurred...I am a summer gal. I want to be WARM! Possibly, this happened because warm weather is so infrequent here in the temperate climate of the Northwest. Maybe it's just because I miss Missouri and their abundance of warm. Likely, its a both/and. And granted, Washington hot is no where NEAR Missouri hot (in MO the lakes get warm enough to swim in! Shocking!!)

Whatever the reason for the switch and in the midst of the difference between WA hot and other places hot, I have compiled a list of reasons why summer is awesome. But this is Talk Thursday so add your own:

Why do you love summer too?

1) Country music can be played at much louder decibles considering the windows will be down and the wind will be whipping through the car
2) There is a perfectly reasonable explanation for why I am eating 2 popsicles for breakfast and will enjoy probably 2 or more throughout the day
3) It necessitates a reason to go to the lake or river
4) Nobody else wants to sit inside so we can all go play
5) I often NEED a reason to shave my legs...summer gives me that reason
6) Two conjunctions: Flip-flop tan-lines
7) Walking away with that "summer glow" (which is funny because it sounds like "Summer Glau"...non-nerds, you won't understand)
8) There is no reason to turn on the heat so I save on electric
9) Warm night driving
10) The smell of sunshine

Let's hear your reasons why you love summer. =)

Caption Please

2010-07-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

A Good Day

2010-07-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

Saturdays that have no priorities or requirements are few and far between in my life. Thus, the have also become one of my most favorite and enjoyable things in the world.

Today, I have slept in and watched about 75 hours of "Scrubs". Mom, Dad and I hung up my jewelry box eventually, but other than that I have succeeded in doing NOTHING productive. Gloriously glorious. =)

How was your Saturday?

Talk Thursday // All. By. Myself. Don'twannabe....t

2010-07-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

Over the last few days, I've had the same conversation with several people: it is hard to make friends and build relationships as a post-college grad. For some reason, finding friends and gaining community gets more and more difficult, it seems.

And it apparently doesn't seem to matter if you're single, married, a cat lady or a Twilight fan - the post-college world is a hard one to live in.

For someone like me, who is EXTREMELY extroverted and needs people ALL. THE. TIME. this little paradigm shift for my life has been hard. Especially living in the Northwest where it is much more difficult to penetrate the thick walls that people put themselves in.

However, we are built for community - we are designed for it. We are created for relationships and friendships, even when they are hard to find.

So, in selfishness AND an act of mercy for those other Hephizbah readers in similar boats, let's talk. It'll be like a reader survey/an advice column. =)

Where are you in life? College, post-college, employed, not-employed, living at home, living on your own?

AND

Where have you found relationships? How have you managed to build community and make friends in whatever stage you are in life? If you've done so successfully, can you give any one of us some advice?

Talk Thursday // Back Where I Come From

2010-06-25T23:51:00.000-07:00

I feel like I haven't blogged in a really long time. And that is no bueno (look at me...bein' all bi-lingual =) ).

As you may or may not have heard (for those of you who AREN'T creepy Facebook stalkers...), I just accepted a permanent-full-time job as a patient care representative for GroupHealth's Behavioral Health Access department. You may remember this same department as the one that produced such art as this or this. I've been at this job for a while, but will be stepping into a new role. And I'm pretty stoked (not least stoked for the coming health coverage! Woot woot!).

Part of my job training for this new position requires me to travel to our downtown Seattle office to work in one of the Behavioral Health clinics. I have been training for the last 3 days and through the grapevine, I think I have another week or so to go.

Being down in the Seattle office has opened my eyes to a whole new world: public transit (ooooh!). I catch the train from Auburn to Seattle, then jog over a couple blocks to the Light Link and at its last stop, hop out and walk the remaining 8 blocks or so to my office. I've never ridden public transit, so it was a frightful experience that first day.

However, over the last several days, I have become more confident as I walk the city streets of Seattle. It is definitely a different vibe than walking around the 'burbs of Auburn, Maple Valley or Federal Way. iPod in, music blaring, looking straight ahead - NO EYE CONTACT! This I do not care for. I am a social entity. I need to wave hey to people, to smile and say "good morning"....this no contact thing is not a happy time for me.

Over the last few days, I've pined for the quiet 'burg of Bolivar, where you walk to the square, greeting everyone you pass. Or as you drive down the road, you wave to the cars passing. It's a homey feeling. And I like that.

But I do get along in Seattle. The metropolis is booming and busy and energetic. Quite honestly, I could go either way.

In the spirit of Talk Thursday (which has now become Talk Sunday), which do you prefer? Are you a metropolite or a down-home kind of person? City or country?

Talk Thursday // Cereal Killers

2010-06-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

It's no secret to anyone that I love cereal. Between cereal and Easy Mac (and my parents) I am able to survive. Cheerios and Rice Chex are my faves, but I don't discriminate. Except for Raisin Bran - that stuff sucks.

So I want to know, if you could be any type of cereal, which would you be? (Your reasoning can be based on anything from flavor to creepiness factor of the cereal's mascot.) I think I would be Fruit Loops. Fruit Loops are tasty, colorful, and they always make the milk taste good at the end. Plus Toucan Sam has a huge schnose - just like me. =)

What about you?

Partial/Nuclear Family Photos

2010-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

When you have big moments to capture, it's inevitable that you take pictures. Luckily, we Lewis' got lucky with Karen Wang - photographer extraordinaire! Rachael graduated this last Saturday so we took advantage of the time to do some partial/nuclear family* photos.

Some family photos are awkward.

Some are dumb.

Our's were just straight up awesomeness. =)

Check out Karen's blog to view some Lewis' in the sun.
And check out Karen's blog if you need someone to do great photos in the Seattle metro. (She did Rachael's senior pix and I approve.)

Yay for awesome pictures! =)

*referenced as partial/nuclear family photos because we were missing Stephen Cowden - our BIL. He needs to know that the pictures (and good times had during) would have been greatly improved due to his presence. As a consolation, I'll send his wife back to him temporarily. ;)

Random Thoughts w/ Sarah Lewie

2010-06-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

I was reading through some Proverbs last night and stumbled across a verse that I've probably read a bajillionty times before, but it struck a nerve last night.

"The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." (Prov. 16:21, NASB)

Wisdom has always been something that I've desired - making wise choices with my time, financially, my relationships, food, future plans, etc. And I constantly feel the struggle to make wise, godly choices. HOW do I make those wise, godly choices everytime when it is just so ding-dang hard to do?

In reading this verse, I wonder if what Solomon is saying is that those who are wise [in heart] are those who are understanding. Understanding of what? People? Situations? Maybe those who are empathic? If this is the case, maybe then the struggle needn't be me against myself and my own inability to understand my situation, but that I become capable of understanding others.

And this is love. Out of that love comes sweetness of speech. Then if I'm desiring that others perceive me as wise (or at least capable of making wise choices) my method becomes sweetness of speech, caused by love for the people I'm around because I am choosing to understand them and their situations. This gives me God's wisdom at heart because everything boils down to showing love to others, which is how we also show our love to God. Wisdom caused by the ability to love others as we have been loved???

God just blew my mind.

Granted, I could be totally off my rocker here. Solomon could have been completely talking about something else entirely. But if God's never-ending intention is that we love Him and we love others, seeking His wisdom can't be that far off base. =)

Ok, random thought over. Happy Wednesday. =)

"HEY YOU GUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYSSSSSSS!"

2010-06-04T10:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend I will be headed down to Astoria, OR to engage in a cultural phenomenon:

The Goonies 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Some people from my church are HUGE Goonies fans; I don't even think I've ever even heard one of them say the word "die." So we're headed that way to enjoy reliving the dream of the Goonies madness.

To be honest, I'm headed that way cause I just like roadtrips and eating junk food with my friends, but whatevs. =) It will be an interesting weekend - chock full of people watching. Although, if I got to meet Sean Astin, I would wet myself (SAMWISE GAMGEE!!!).

Are any of you big Goonies? If so, would you be willing to post a picture of you doing the Truffle Shuffle? ;)

(Interesting point to note: the Goonies movie and I are the same age. Fancy that. =) )

Have a great weekend, ya'll! Pictures to come!

Talk Thursday // Gleek

2010-06-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

My sister had oft spoken of her deep desire to be in a Broadway musical, despite her current hiatus from public singing. And she could do it; she would rock the Casbah. True story.

I, on the other hand, while loving the spotlight and belting out a rockin' karaoke jam, am not made for the stage. Put me working the lights or sound or props and I'll be fine.

That's why GLEE works for people like Heather. And for people like me. It's chock full of power ballads done by relatively decent vocalists with a story-line that have to matter because everyone knows we're all just watching it for the music.

If you love Journey (and who doesn't?!), you should watch GLEE.

If you want to watch Idina Menzel absolutely DESTROY a Lady GaGa song, you should watch GLEE.

If you were ever in or desirous of being in a vocal group, you should watch GLEE.

If you ever felt like a loser/outcast in high school, especially when pitted against the cheerleaders and jocks, you should watch GLEE.

If you want to find a plethora of songs to belt out to in the car so that as you're driving down the road people look at you a little funny because though it's quite obvious you're not black, you are certainly attempting to sound like Whitney Houston, you should watch GLEE. (Wow...that one got personal...)

And if you are able to find expression to who you are through music, you should watch GLEE.

So, have I convinced you? Are you a GLEE(k)? And where do you belt out your power ballads? =)

Talk Thursday // 5 Questions You've Never Been Asked

2010-05-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

Like a car runs on gasoline, this blog runs on thievery. I'm not so creative, but I know how to read and listen. And I've been reading and listening over at Tyler Stanton's freaking hilarious blog. He makes me laugh; I want to make you laugh; so I thereby give you....

5 QUESTIONS YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ASKED, Talk Thursday ed. (done also in part by a ridiculous conversation between Jenna S & myself)

1. If you had to trade your face with any kitchen appliance, which one would it be?
(Things to consider: the noises your face would make, the fact that you'd have no eyes, and how often people would use your face in the process of making themselves something to eat that they couldn't share with you because you would also have no mouth)

2. What song would you choose to sing if you were required to sing it every time someone asked you how your day was going?
(Things to consider: your pastor asks you this question, your vocal range, the frequency of this question being asked in a day)

3. How often would you like to see Michael Bolton do the worm?
(Things to consider: really, there is nothing to consider. The only appropriate answer to this is "all the time!")

4. Which would you rather have stapled on your forehead: your thumb or my gym sock?
(Things to consider: swimming, first dates, the chance of being tickled)

5. If you had to lick some item in your room every time you passed by it, what would you choose to lick?
(Things to consider: the chances of you having to touch it, the chance that someone else will touch it, the looks you'll get from people who see this happen)

This has been 5 questions you've never been asked.....and probably never will again. =)
(Thanks to Tyler Stanton and Jenna S!!!)

Talk Friday // Passion

2010-05-21T11:01:00.001-07:00

I like the beach.

I like ministry.

I like people who like the beach and ministry.

These things put together made for an excellent last few days. Our administrative coordinator/collegiate student minister invited me to accompany her to Cannon Beach for the Northwest Baptist Collegiate Ministry Conference. I'll be real: I was skeptical. I'm not a collegiate minister; I've never done collegiate ministry (SBU does not count); and I don't know anyone.

However, it was fabulous. The people were kind, they accepted me without any collegiate background and I made some wonderful connections, not just for myself, but also for our church and the community we serve.

And it got me to thinking: what was it that made these people come together? Why would they take three days out of their schedules to come to the beach and hang out? Ok, ok...that question just answered itself. =)

The answer to the first question, though, is PASSION. Those collegiate ministers had passion. Passion for their work, passion for their collegues, passion for their Lord, and a passion to do what they know they were called to do. Their passion for growing closer together as collegues, gleaning ideas for how to do their ministry better, and passion for how to help college students get to know Jesus better was evident the whole time.

So, what's your passion? Is there something in your life that you are deeply passionate about? That you would give up three days for? That you would change your life for? If there's not, there should be. I can't imagine living life without a purpose. And passions enable us to have purpose.

What's yours?

Summer Goals: UPDATE!

2010-05-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

It has officially been summer in the Lewis/Halpin house for 2 full weeks. And I have added and completed several goals for myself and my summer.

So without further ado:

Sarah's Super Spectacular Summer Schema!

Veritas:
* Write training materials for the Orchard
(outline accomplished)
* Pre-write one month's worth of lessons for Orchard
(accomplished with 3 months to go because of her super awesome BFF Adina and the generosity of Central Baptist Church!)
* Inventory Orchard materials
* Create Orchard budget

Multnomah:
* Start Comprehensive Written Report for internship class
* Review Hebrew & Greek (likely closer to August)
* Read Genesis-Song of Solomon
* Translate Galatians
* Read ahead in textbooks (if possible)

Personal:
* Reorganize bookshelves (they are not in alpha order and it's driving me NUTS) (accomplished)* Finish The Coffeehouse Gospel, All-Star Missions Churches, Crazy Love and all the Dean Koontz books that have been sitting on my bookshelf for the last 3 months
* Go on a road trip (or several)
- Cannon Beach #1!!: 5/18-5/20
- Cannon Beach #2!!: 6/4-6/7
- Wyoming!!!: 7/21-7/25
* Go to the drive-in movie (accomplished: Iron Man 2)
* Go on a date (but not like the two blind dates from last summer...those were BAD!))
* Ride bike to Flaming Geyser & back (14 miles)
- Ride bike to SR-18/Auburn-Black Diamond by end of May (4 miles)
(accomplished 5/15)
- Ride bike to Mosby farms by end of May (6 miles)
* Get a tan
* Upload all pictures to Facebook
* Make Rachael’s graduation present
* Lose weight (it's an every summer ordeal)

You guys are keeping me accountable. And I appreciate that. =)

Homepage

2010-05-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have two computers: my work computer (Jack) and my laptop (Alex). The default homepage for Jack is the GroupHealth Cooperative intranet page. I can't change it (try as I like) and I don't need the intranet for much. So when I want to get online I usually opt for opening the shortcut link to my iGoogle.

For those of you who don't know the gloriousness that is iGoogle, it contains the Gmail inbox, the weather, chat, news clips, the Google function and I even have a Tetrus game on mine. I love iGoogle. And I would love if Jack's homepage would be iGoogle instead of GHC.

*Segue!!*

Our church is going through a sermon series on the Fruits of the Spirit. We spent last night at our community group kind of recapping the last couple: kindness, goodness and faithfulness. After discussing the nuances of each of those, the main point became that all of these things boil down to love. You can't be kind without love; you can't be good without love; do you really want to have faith in something (or Someone) that you don't love?

The illustration was made that love should be our homepage. It should be what we default to. Once we're in the love 'homepage', we'll be able to "link" to anyone of those other fruits: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

However, for many of us, love doesn't seem to be our go-to; it's typically something else. We discussed Ephesians 4.31 that says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." One of these is more than likely what we default to.

I have to admit that mine is slander. When I'm frustrated, when I've lost control over something, when something doesn't go my way or I can't get what I want or I'm hurt, I default to slander. Whatever the situation, it's never my fault, something else made me drop the ball or caused me to be late or hurt my feelings or made me feel little. I want to deflect any responsibility and throw someone under the bus.

But what if rather than opening my homepage to slander, I opened it to love? How would that even look?

When I can't complete something on time, what if rather than complain, I worked to get it done more quickly?

When I lose control over some situation, what if rather than assume the other person has it out for me, I find something else to do?

When I get my feelings hurt, what if rather than talk bad about them to others, I stop right then and pray for them?

I think it might look like love. Like the love of Christ coming out in my life. And helping others to see Him more clearly in me.

I can't change the default setting on my work computer. It's always going to be GHC. However, I've gone straight to my shortcut enough that I rarely open the Internet Explorer icon. It's muscle memory. And I think if we do it enough, if we practice it enough, we can make our default settings remember love, rather than what we'd rather go to, be it anger or malice or bitterness or self-pity or judgmentalism or whatever.

iGoogle is awesome.

Love is awesomer.

Talk Thursday // Love Languages

2010-05-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Unless you've spent the last 8 years living under a rock in the Mojave, you've likely heard of Gary Chapman's book The 5 Love Languages. I personally have never read it, but more times than I care to count, I have been asked to take quizzes, answer questionnaires, and engage in EXTRAORDINARILY long conversations to determine my love language and how those love languages interact with other peoples. It's like signs of the zodiac for Christian love.

And while, yes, I feel like it's a little cheesy, knowing other people's love languages has really helped.

When my BFF and I were living together in college, we struggled for a long time to understand each other because she didn't want to cuddle and I was never home. She was (and I'm fairly sure still is (you can clarify if I'm wrong, 'Dino)) quality time and acts of service. Once we finally vocalized those things, it enabled us to figure out a way to satisfy one another's "love tanks" as it were (hey, I didn't make it up, I just took it from Gary). We didn't always work towards loving one another in the way that we should have, but at least we couldn't say we were ignorant about them.

So anyway, this week's Talk Thursday is pretty simple:

What's your love language? Is how you receive love also the same way as you give love?

PS, the options are:
* Gifts
* Quality Time
* Physical Touch
* Acts of Service
* Words of Affirmation

Alrighty Sports Fans!

2010-05-12T13:27:00.001-07:00

Well, I bought my first set of Discs yesterday. No no...not compact discs or clay discs...Disc Golfing Discs. I've officially joined the ranks of those who would rather spend their sunny afternoon tramping through a forest so laced with the scent of marijuana you get a contact high from a tree rather than those who would rather spend their sunny afternoons getting a tan in the backyard. I'm not sure yet how I feel about that...contact highs or melanoma....

Anyway, I bought 3 discs - a Fairway Driver (Leopard), a Mid-Range (Shark!!!), and a Putter. I'll be real with you fine folks: I'm not good, but I'm FAR from terrible. So there's hope yet.

Jon Acuff says that Disc Golf (or Frisbee Golf) is God's favorite sport. Which would make a lot of sense since it was played all over our small Southern Baptist college campus. Or not a lot of sense....? But everyone in our church plays. And we're only Southern Baptist by affiliation, not practice. Maybe Frisbee Golf isn't God's favorite sport, but rather it was Dwight L Moody's? (I know I get those two confused sometimes too.) =)

So let me ask: do ya'll play disc golf? Do you even care about disc golf? Are you going to slap me in the face for interchanging the words Frisbee and Disc?

Happy Spring, kids!

Talk Thursday // Summer Planning

2010-05-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

Since Monday I've been contemplating what my summer will look like and how I will try and spend almost four months of not being in class (wooooohooooooo!)

Well, I've devised myself a little "to-do" list for the summer and I'm going to share it with you. =)

1. Ride bike to Flaming Geyser & back (this will require building up stamina)

2. Reorganize bookshelves (they are not in alpha order and it's driving me NUTS)

3. Finish The Coffeehouse Gospel & All-Star Missions Churches

4. Go on a road trip (or several)

5. Start Comprehensive Written Report for internship class

6. Write training materials for the Orchard

7. Pre-write one month's worth of lessons for Orchard

8. Go to the drive-in movie

9. Review Hebrew & Greek (likely closer to August)

10. Get a tan

(Bonus #11: Go on a date (but not like the two blind dates from last summer...those were BAD!))

I'm excited about this summer.

So I'm asking: what are your plans for the summer? What do you normally do? What do you want to do? And when are you going to come visit me? =)

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

¡Hola amigos! ¡Cinco feliz de Mayo! Espero que sea todo bien y disfrutar de este el miércoles encantador. Celebraré este Día mexicano de Independencia trabajando. Sin embargo, cuando el reloj golpea cinco, disfrutaré de pastillas, salsa y un chimichanga. Porque cocina mexicana es ya mi favorito, yo utilizaré simplemente este día como un día para comerlo y beber un Strongbow. Si tengo suerte, yo también miraré "El Tres Amigos".

¿Qué es sus planes para este Cinco de Mayo?

(If you can translate this, you get a Cinco de Mayo prize!)

School is out and there's kind of a buzz....

2010-05-03T23:50:00.001-07:00

Oh Fresh Prince, truer words have never been spoken.

As of 12.05 pm today, I am officially on summer break. No classes, no homework, no weekly commute to Portland - I'm free!!

What will I do with all my free time?! And by free time, I mean those few hours in my day that will no longer be property of Multnomah professors, but are disconnected from GroupHealth and Veritas Church children's ministry.

For now, I'm going to stay up late, watch TV and not read anything that isn't strictly fiction or someone else's blog.

And can anyone tell me how to get the weather to cooperate with the current season? This is more than a little ridiculous up in WA.

Summa' summa' summa' time....time to sit back and unwind...

Today Is A Good Day For Bad Poetry // Friday edition

2010-04-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Miles and miles
Of files and files
Typing and griping -
It's the boredom I'm fighting
Rockin' country jams in my ears
Helps to chase away my working day tears
I'm double-fistin' the day with coffee & water
Haven't you heard? I'm Don & Juanita's daughter!
We're mid-way through the day -
"Dear Jesus, speed it up!", I pray
Once in a while I'll get up to walk
And mosey on over to where I can talk
People here think I'm a little weird
But it'd be worse if I was the lady with the beard
Soon enough I'll get to go home
"Can't I just rest?!", I'll inevitably moan
But my homework awaits
Thus this Friday night, I'll have no dates
Not really so shocking -
luckily my biological clock ain't tick-tocking
Wow, that got weird fast
I wonder how long I can make the awkward last....
This crappy poem took up some time
but I think I'm all out of rhyme(s)
I hope you all have a wonderful day
Go outside, get some sun & play!
TGIF!
Apparently that's all I got left.

(This poem brought to you in part by:
Insomniax Coffee Co. - Freshly Squeezed Juice is on 15th!
More Like Seuss - Read what the funny is!
Big R Radio - Country for everyday
&
The huge @$$ tower of files behind me)

Talk Thursday // Lessons Learned on a Thursday

2010-04-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

I made two bad decisions before 8 am this morning:

1) I thought BigFoot Java would have decent coffee (they don't)

and

2) I thought taking the Valley freeway to work would be my best commuting option (it wasn't)

Because last week's "Humor Survey" was so much fun, let me conduct another survey - Weekday Morning Survey!

If you love Jesus, you'll answer these questions. If you want Tom Cruise to stop being crazy, you'll answer these questions. If you want to see that annoying co-worker leave, you'll answer these questions. If you want Brooks & Dunn to stay together, you'll answer these questions. And if you want an end to my ridiculous "If...Then" statements, you'll answer these questions.

1. What time do you have to be wherever it is you need to be (work, school, home) in the morning/afternoon/evening?

2. How do you get there?

3. What's your morning beverage of choice?

4. Are you a morning shower-er or an evening one? (Or are you like Matthew McCaugnehey and don't shower at all? (PS: ew))

And, PS, don't get BigFoot Java. They are now dead to me.

I have spoken (thanks Heather L-C). =)

Weekend Update

2010-04-26T09:34:00.001-07:00

1 night of karaoke

1 day of moving

a night of dueling pianos

church stress

awesome Mexican birthday lunch

not doing any homework

spending time w/ my friends & family

_______________________________

GREAT TIMES!!!!

Thanks to everyone who made my Golden Birthday awesome! You guys are the best!

Talk Thursday // Getting to Know You

2010-04-22T10:19:00.001-07:00

Apparently the things I find humorous in life do not match ya'll's sense of humor (according to recent reader comments). I can be ok with that.

But that makes me feel like I don't know you, the Hephzibah community, as well as I thought. (In my head I'm hearing Season 1 HIMYM: "I want to know your soul; what makes you cry?" HIMYM fans...you're welcome).

So today's Talk Thursday is less of a "discussion" and more of a reader survey. If you want to be awesome and famous, you will answer these questions. If you want an end to world hunger, you will answer these questions. If you want Lady Gaga to stop singing/being crazy, you will answer these questions. And if you want me to stop hounding you with promises I can't keep based off of your responses, you will answer these questions. =)

Let's talk. Thursday-style.

What is your favorite comedic movie?

Who is your favorite comedian?

What typically makes you laugh on a day-to-day basis?

Have you ever laughed so hard that you wet yourself? (And let's be honest...we've all done it, so there's no shame (ok, there's a little bit of shame, but no judgment (ok, there's a little bit of judgment, but there will be no mocking (that's not true....there will be mocking...))))

What would you say is the ratio of your laughter to your tears? And to clarify, this is tears of sadness, not tears of laughter.

How would you classify yourself as a laugher? The Silent Shaker, The Boisterous Boomer, The Snorter, The Tiny Tee-hee-hee-er?

7 Things That Make Me Laugh On A Regular Basis

2010-04-19T11:17:00.000-07:00

and they're free for you!!!

7. When people fall down.

Don't you judge me! I will always ask if they are ok, but you better know that if you trip and fall in front of me, I will laugh heartily.

6. "Balls", "package", "sack", & "That's what she said!"

Every-freakin'-time... Apparently I'm a 13-yr-old boy trapped in a 25-yr-old girl's body (the psychologists would have a field day with that statement!).

5. Flight of the Conchords

Specifically these videos:

4. This guy's blog

3. Mel Brooks

His comedic timing is genius. I don't know how he does it, but I can't think of one Mel Brooks movie that isn't solid gold. Space Balls, Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Blazing Saddles...if you haven't seen these and/or don't think they are humorous, I don't know if we can be friends.

2. How I Met Your Mother

Granted, Seasons 1-3 are pure dynamite while 4 & 5 have been slacking a little but honestly...who doesn't want to see a grown up Doogie Howser whore it up all over NYC alongside my celebrity boyfriend and a grown up "One time, at band camp" Alyson Hannigan? It's LEGENDARY!

aaaaaaaaaaaand the number 1 thing that makes me laugh on a regular basis.....

1. Ol' Greg

I don't know why someone would make this video or why I think its so funny, but honestly....who DOESN'T laugh at a fish-man with a mangina?! Freaking hilarious.

Talk Thursday // Focus! Laser Beam!

2010-04-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

I am an easily distractable person. I have what my pastor calls "AD...OLTACD" - Attention Deficit...oh look! There's a Chicken!" Disorder. Shiny things, conversations, music, shoelaces, Dr. Pepper, paper clips, folding napkins - anything can distract me from what whatever task is at hand.

So in order to help me once, my friend Tim demonstrated the noise of a laser beam to get me to focus...like a laser beam. "SHINGBANG!!" is the sound byte I hear every time I need to focus on something that I'm not currently focusing on.

As we approach the end of another school year (for some of us), the start of a highly distractable season (summer), and the impending glory of freedom (vacation), I want to ask how you, my loyal readers, focus. What methods/motivations do you utilize to help you push through on mundane tasks? Do you have a specific thing that helps settle your mind on work/school/tasks?

For me, NickelCreek, DeathCab for Cutie, Rascall Flatts, Billy Joel & Elton John are my "focus" music. In college, when I listened to these artists, I could bust out a paper in a matter of hours. And if they're in my head when I'm at work or doing school work now, I'm able to get through. As far as motivations, knowing that the end is nigh is always a brilliant motivator (probably because I know how far behind I am and in order to pass classes, I have to work hard to catch up!).

So what about you? Are you even in crunch time?

P.S. If there was a shark with a laser beam, I would TOTALLY focus!!!

iT Is wELl

2010-04-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

You know when you're just driving along peacefully, you've just picked up the pace to be going with the flow of traffic well; the windows are down, the country music is blarin', and there's a reason to wear your sunglasses? Everything seems peaceful and calm and set?

Then all of a sudden you're hit broadside by 16-wheeler, spinning a 180 on the interstate.

Ok ok, don't worry....I wasn't literally tanked by a 16-wheeler recently. But figuratively I absolutely feel as though I've been run over out of nowhere.

And I'm sure you've had those days too.

Our current sermon series at church is the Fruits of the Spirit. Each week, we're learning about a specific fruit. We started with love, last week was joy and now we're approaching peace. I'm not sure if it's because I'm planning the lesson plans for the kids or because God thinks its funny, but for the last 3 weeks I've been dealing with that particular fruit a week before the sermon. Let me share:

The week of 3/29-4/4: Love - my heart was moved for our community, for my family, for my friends and I prayed that I would be able to show love to them in whatever way I could. This one was easier. Then...

4/5-4/10: Joy - my plate has been full to the brim and last week I was done. Done with school, done with work, done with people, and yet I felt God calling me not to give up hope, to trust Him to come through and I could rest in His joy & that the joy of the Lord would be my strength.

4/11-?: Peace - I am in an utter state of unrest. I can't concentrate on anything, I can't get my head out of this fog and I just want to escape. At this point, I freaking hate all 16-wheelers that want to broadside me without so much as a warning.

I do not want this pattern to continue - especially when it gets to self-control!

Does anyone else feel like this? Or am I just the broke-down car with her hazards on, waiting for the tow-truck?

Talk Thursday // Joy

2010-04-08T15:40:00.001-07:00

Oh look....a Talk Thursday on a Thursday...how ideal. =)

So this Sunday in the Orchard (not a real orchard people - a figurative orchard), our little Veritas kiddos will be learning about the Fruit of the Spirit of Joy. It is elusive and abstract and tricky to wrap our minds around. My question was at first "How do I concretize joy for little people?" (not midgets, just young humans) But then, the more I considered it, the question became "What IS Joy?"

Is joy just being happy all the time? Is it not letting anything get you down? Is the joy joy joy joy down in your heart? (Where?!)

It seemed natural to equate joy with happiness to help the kids see the meaning. And the illustrations were easy - when you're sad, if you have Jesus, you have joy and you can smile. If you have to go to the dentist and are nervous or angry, if you have Jesus, you have joy and you can smile. If your sister punches you in the face and you're crying and bleeding and mad, if you have Jesus, you have joy and you can smile.

That seems right. It seems like people have always said that Christians need to always be happy and have a smile on their face and not let anything get them down.

But then I thought about it again.

If we are created in the image of God and our God is a God of deep, deep emotion (and not just the good ones!), why then does it follow that we as Christians should only emote happy things? When we're sad, we can be sad. When we're angry, it's ok to be angry, as long as we don't sin in our anger. Any emotion that we feel is alright - as long as it doesn't lead to or cause us to sin. If we teach that joy means happiness and that to follow Christ means always being happy, then we are teaching that sadness, sorrow, pain, anger, disappointment, depression, etc are sinful feelings.

I think that the opposite of Joy is Despair. If we lived our lives without the hope of Christ, it is far easier to fall into Despair. But we can have Joy because we have hope in the truth of Christ. We can be sad and angry and all those things and still have JOY because we can still trust Jesus to take care of us. That sounds naiive and too easy, but I think it's meant to be that way.

Our joy is not predicated upon our circumstances; our happiness can be.

So after all that, my question to you is:

Do you have joy?
Is it an easy thing for you to remember?
Do you have the wonderful-love-of-my-blessed-Redeemer-way-down-in-the-depths-of-your-heart? (thanks Psalty!)

The Marriage Builder

2010-04-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

I'm not married. Nor have I ever been married. So when I recommend the thing I'm about to, I want you to know that it's coming from a perspective of someone who watches other people's marriages and hears the marriage secrets of her married friends, but has no first-hand experience.

For a class this semester I'm reading The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb. This might be a broad statement, but I honestly believe that anyone is married, will be married or has even thought about getting married needs to read this book. And even if marriage isn't on your mind, this book has some great insight for relationships in general.

Crabb writes from a counselor's point of view for other counselors, but he writes from a personal perspective of his own relationship with his wife. His intention is to help couples find that elusive "oneness" that most people expect in their marriage but can't seem to find. The crux of it all isn't better communication, better sex, or better action, but resting in the love of Christ. "Suuuure..." you say, "It's as easy as that." I have problems as a single lady resting in the love of Christ; I can't imagine what life would be like trying to live with someone else who also can't find rest in Him and both of us are struggling to have the other person meet our needs that can only be fulfilled in Christ.

Most devotional books really bother me because they say a lot but don't help see how to put those principles into concrete practice. Crabb, on the other hand, has concrete ways to daily practice ministering to one's spouse.

I have about 9 pages to go to end this bad boy. So if on page 147 he says "I love satan" or something like that, I'm very sorry (for SOOO many reasons). But if it ends as well as it has been going this whole time, you'll be in for a very helpful and eye-opening read.

Is anyone else reading something that we should all be reading? If so, what is it?

Talk Thursday // Eggs, Deities, and Marketing

2010-04-02T08:32:00.000-07:00

Oh man! I totally got you guys! That was awesome! You totally thought!!...but I!!....oh man!! April Fool's Day classic!! Making you think there was no Talk Thursday! Bahahahahahaha!!!!!

Ok, that was a lot of exclamations. I apologize. Moving on....

Seeing as how we're in the spirit of the Easter season and there are so many different opinions and viewpoints on this particular holiday, I'd like to ask how you celebrate Easter. I assume that most of my readers don't have kids (and by "readers" I mean the 3 of you that I KNOW don't have kids), but if you did, what would you teach your children about Easter, the bunny, Jesus? How did your parents explain all of it to you? What did you do when you found the Easter Bunny wasn't real but he was your creepy neighbor? Whoa...weird.

And Bonus question: who would win in a street fight - Jesus or the Easter Bunny? Jesus has angels, the Easter Bunny has hard-boiled eggs flying 87 miles/hour at your face.

And go!

Bad Move

2010-03-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

Deep Red by Hugo Boss = fabulous

Too much Deep Red by Hugo Boss = nosebleed

And that's what I get for opting for sleep rather than a shower this morning.....

An Addendum

2010-03-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

So I went to that concert the other night and was feeling guilty for not being that "into it" - the band Fee was playing some praise and worship music and I just not feeling the movement of the Spirit like the rest of the auditorium seemed to be feeling. However, some time around Francesca Battistelli's sultry tunes, something started stirring. Once Crowder was done and MercyMe came on, God WHACKED me over the head with an epiphany. I will share it with you now. As trite and repetitive as CCM tends to be, if it's speaking the message of the hope of the gospel, I can't dislike it. Now, there are some Christian artists out there who, like Joel Osteen, want to wrap Jesus in bubblegum and daisies, whilst picturing Him skipping through a meadow with unicorns and fairies, but there are the few and bold artists who speak about real life. These artists don't paint the gospel with rose-colored glasses, but they sing to the reality of our depravity but the hope of the sovereignty and love of Almighty God. Artists like Caedmon's, Alli Rogers, Shaun Groves, JJ Heller, Shane & Shane....these people help me remember that as often as I want to condemn the CCM stereotype, all Christian artists are singing His glory and His renown. And I would be absolutely hypocritical if I said that though musically it may not be as intricate and well-composed as some and though it might be overplayed and repetitive it was bad music. Because if someone or something is declaring the message of the gospel of Christ and proclaiming His name, it is good.

Now I still can't handle the lollipop happiness of the CCM DJ's (sorry KCMS, but you're barely on a pre-set button). But I am glad that the Lord helped me see that His glory is far greater than any opinion I hold.

Ok, soapbox = over. That's what you get for going to Christian concerts... =)

Talk Thursday // Ashamement

2010-03-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

When I tell people about the thing I'm about to share, often the look I receive is one of disgust, of utter sadness, of confusion...some of hatred. Because of these reactions, I tend to not share this particular thing about me. It's not pretty, it's not cool - not even that it's so not cool it's almost cool, kinda like being able to sing the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" theme song (which incidently I've sang like 87 times in the last 2 weeks...).

ANYHOO....

here is my confession:

If prompted, I could probably sing the entire works of one Carman Domenic Licciardello. Otherwise known to most people as "Carman that weird Christian singer guy who now waxes his chest." This really shouldn't be something that I share with people or even that I really want people to know about me. But it's the truth.

For some reason, I have this weird phobia of people thinking that I like/listen to contemporary Christian music. It doesn't bother me when people know I love southern gospel or 80's praise and worship (cause honestly, who DOESN'T love themselves some Maranatha music?! For shiz.). But current Christian music, especially if it's played on the Christian music station makes me feel "unhip" which is no bueno, because I am indeed so "hip" (the mere fact that I just used such words, especially with "" calls into question the validity of that statement).

This sprang up in my mind because tonight I'm going to a Christian concert - Family Force 5, Fee, the David Crowder Band, Mercy Me, Francesca Bastistelli (to name a few). However, I haven't really wanted to admit to anyone that I actually want to go. And it's not that I'm ashamed of Jesus; but we Christians have produced some pretty awful music and I think I view it like everyone else with just a shade of disdain. Even though these particular bands are quite good both lyrically and musically.

So the question today is 2-fold:

* How do you view Christian music? Especially in light of other FAR more talented acts out there who aren't Christian.
* What things are you going to claim ashamement for?

(Yes, I know, lexical nerds...ashamement isn't a word...you'll be strong)

And people wonder why Justin is my celebrity boyfriend...

2010-03-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

(Let's not tell Jason Segel about him. K thanks.)

Chapstick

2010-03-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've been missing blogging. The last several months have mostly been Talk Thursdays (or Fridays or Saturdays) with few other posts thrown in. We can chalk this up to my overly busy schedule, the fact that I actually have work to do during the day or the fact that I have nothing to say. You may choose anyone you want.

But in an attempt to get back to my roots (my roots being stealing awesome ideas from other people and parroting them as my own). I give you:

The Top Ten List of things that are better than having consistently chapped lips (such as I currently have)

10. Being stung by a bee in the lip - OOSTA!!
9. A splinter in my heel
8. Listening to Lady Gaga's "Poker Face"
7. A colonoscopy
6. Slapping my face repeatedly
5. Coffee stains on my dress slacks
4. That stupid "Where's the chapstick?" song on YouTube
3. Watered down, cold coffee
2. Jazz flutes
1. Watching people brush their teeth in the bathroom (that is just so gross, lady in the department down the hall)

Thanks sis, for the stealable material (they say imitation is the highest form of flattery...) =)

Talk Friday // Work

2010-03-19T08:48:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was asked to stay late to work on a project here at the office. I ended up spending 2.5 hours cutting out foam flags as a visual system for our clinicians. It was menial and silly and definitely not worth the college degree I have to do it.

But you know what? I loved it.

Our culture says that we're not really supposed to love our jobs. At least, not until we're 49 and have started our own businesses. But I'm 24; I work as an Admin Assistant - a temp one! - for a mental health/chemical dependancy intake center and I love coming into work. It rarely bothers me that I have to go into work at all. Sure, some days I'd rather just lay in bed or chill in the coffee shop, but by the time I get here, I enjoy the work I do. One day maybe I'll get to do full-time ministry (and maybe even get paid for it!), but for now, I'm going to enjoy working here with a great team, in a great atmosphere and hoping for opportunities for ministry in this office.

So let's get to know each other a little bit:

What to you do for a living?
How do you feel about it?
If this isn't your dream job, what is?

Rrrr-Random, Random

2010-03-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

For some time now I have had a not-so-secret desire to become a country music super-star. Yes, this is mostly to meet Dolly Parton & Keith Urban, but that's besides the point.

My first song was entitled A Fire Ant Bit My Head Like You Bit My Heart. It's a lengthy title, but catchy, I thought. To help you envision the inspiration behind this ditty, think Taylor Swift meets Eric Church (if you even know who Eric Church is...).

However, I have finally come to my second mega-hit. This one I'm actually really proud of and think that this might be the Grammy winner. This time think Little Big Town meets Sara Evans. Thus, I give you....

Downhome In Downtown

(Lyrics to come soon)

Nashville, here I come! =)

Talk Thursday // Change & Growth

2010-03-11T20:25:00.000-08:00

I am person who, for better or for worse, knows what I like and how I like it. Some people call that persnickity, others call it stubborn, I call it introspectivly decided. Fat-free French Vanilla Coffee Mate creamer in my coffee...my bathrobe on a hook next to my hair towel...country music on full-blast: this is how I like my life.

However, I am learning that sometimes change is necessary for growth. Shocking, eh? So in learning to be a growing person, I have endeavored to take on some new things in life. I started watching a show I cared nothing about, me and a friend have decided to go walking (while this is impressive enough, we're going at 5.30am - I don't acknowledge single-digit ams), and I've taken on a ministry that I swore to never do. These things are not in my personal repetoire, but I feel like expanding my horizons might enable me to grow as a person.

So I ask, what are you doing to grow? What things are you engaging or learning about that you wouldn't normally do to help you become a more varied you?

Confusion

2010-03-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Whenever I see this sign....

this is what I picture...

Droid phone, this confusion is simply one of the many reasons why you suck.

freakin' robot....

Talk Thursday // Defaults

2010-03-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

We all have those things that we auto-default to. It comes with figuring out who you are and what you like and what reaches you.

So let me ask:

What's your default musical selection?
What's your default movie?
What's your default drink?

Do you like the fact that you default to certain things or not?

(Sorry for the succinct Talk Thursday...my brain is homework-fried)

Talk Thursday // Dreamin'

2010-02-25T08:53:00.000-08:00

Let's play a game: which of these things were not in my dream the other night? Is it:

A. Mocking giant-headed babies?

B. Rockin' it out on the guitar with Carlos Whittaker?

C. Playing perfectly Harry Connick Jr's "Let It Snow" with Shaun Groves?

D. Having our cruise ship attacked by pirates?

If you picked D...you win! Well, at least you win awesome points (I'm broke as a joke, man).

I haven't figured out if it's something I eat, something I read or something I sniff before going to bed, but seriously, I have the craziest dreams.

And I'm sure you do too...

So let's chat. What's the most recent dream you can remember? Was I in it? ;)

R.I.P.

2010-02-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

The most recent addition to my bamboo family, Jimminy Kricket, has kicked the proverbial bamboo bucket. After many valiant attempts to bring him back, Jimminy's heart just wasn't in it and it's time to let go.

So I want to take this time to say good-bye to Jimminy Kricket - a brave soul of foliage...may you Rest In Peace.

In other news, though, Ping is doing quite well.

He thanks you for the condolences during this time of loss.

Talk Thursday // Greek Entertainment

2010-02-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

Don't worry...this Talk Thursday isn't about your favorite noun case or your method for appropriately parsing a verb (non-geeks, sorry, that went over your head).

Rather, in an attempt to be relevant to the conversations at hand... The 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Luckily, so far this year, there hasn't been anything too sketchy from the commentators (anyone remember THIS from the 2008 summer Olympics?!). However, I feel like I know ENTIRELY too much about Apolo Ohno (who, by the way, is from my hometown). Plus, whenever I see Shaun White, I get jealous. Not so much for the snowboarding prowess (which judging by my infintesimal experience, I will never have), but instead for that kids hair. I hate when boys are prettier than me. Which also makes me not love mens figure skating; I want to wear the sparkles. I've determined I could never marry a male figure skater....oh well....

So...

1. What is your favorite sport to watch?

2. What sport do you wish you could do?

3. What sport do you think, while yes showing talent, is ultimately pointless and ridiculous?

4. And how in love with Bob Costas are you?

Talk Thursday // Heart Healing

2010-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

Just to put myself completely out there: I have been really discouraged lately. This has come in many forms in the last 3 weeks: lonliness, self-esteem issues, financial worries, future worries, bitterness, unneccessary guilt. And it gets really hard to trust that its just a "season" (the Christian catchphrase for "please Jesus let me not feel like this for much longer").

But in the midst of this discouragement and the constant battle to trust God's plan and His wisdom, I have found that there are a couple of things that move in my heart and lift my spirits. It's the things that on the days I feel like I like have no friends, no hope, no spark left they settle in my soul and rouse the joy.

Likely, we all have something that moves us to self-awareness and puts us in that place where peace just seems...reachable.

For me, it's the movie Elizabethtown, Caedmon's Call and James Taylor. No matter how dark the day or situation feels, Jesus somehow speaks through these things almost every time.

Are you in a place where you need something that soothes your soul? If so, do you have that thing that puts you at ease?

(If you don't, I would gladly recommend Elizabethtown, James Taylor or Caedmon's (especially 40 Acres, Long Line of Leavers, or In the Company of Angels, Vol. 1)). =)

Be at peace.

Ponderings

2010-02-02T16:04:00.001-08:00

In the last few weeks, I've had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of several wildly incomprehensible gifts. My parents provided for me to go on a skiing trip (my first ever!), then my car broke down and they once again stepped up to the plate, then some friends offered provide for me to spend time with another friend before a long (and I expect difficult) separation.

It makes me very nervous to be on the receiving end of gifts. I love giving gifts, but I always feel awkward and uncomfortable taking them - especially when there is no way in Hades that I can repay.

As I thought through why this is, it dawned on me that this is also how I view my friend and Heavenly Father. He often wants to give me gifts and blessings - all the way from unexpected sunshine to opportunities that are beyond my wildest imaginations.

Yet, every time, I resist the impulse to take His gifts graciously. Similar to my friends and family, I say "No, I won't let you do that for me. I'll figure out a way to give myself that same thing. And if I can't, if I'm not self-sufficient enough to make it happen, then I don't deserve it."

When I say that, when I respond in that way, I don't realize until far too late that I'm hurting the person who longs to give to me.

How much more, I wonder, do I hurt God when I reject His gifts and try to claim self-sufficiency?

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1.17)