Hello, Weekend.

My life has been pretty mundane as of late. Hence, the lack of posts. The pattern has been class, work, study, class, work, read, and class. Thank the Lord, the weekend came, though.

My cousin and his wife had their first baby Thursday, so Friday afternoon, I went to see her. She is precious.

Then, after finishing up some assigned reading Friday afternoon, I got to try my hand at disc golf. I wasn't terrible and feel like if I played more often I could be decent. Friday evening I watched Inception for the first time ever (I know, I know... but I basically lived in a bubble this summer). I don't know if it was just because I had been hearing all this hype about it, increasing my expectations, but I wasn't that impressed. After the movie, just around midnight, the urge to eat endless pancakes consumed some of us, which led us to IHOP, with plans to go to the park afterward. Well after we had stuffed ourselves, we ended up back at the apartment where we watched videos on YouTube until 2 a.m., so the park idea was abandoned.

Yesterday Ash and I lounged around the house (pancakes got angry with me and took it out on my stomach) until supper time when Kat, Josh, and Naaman came over. We ate and then headed downtown, where things like this happened. Apparently, we have an affinity for statues, some more so than others....

Now, I'm enjoying the Lord's Day, trying not to think about all that I have to do next week. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt. 6:34b). I'll have plenty of time to take care of assignments and prepare for work. No use in worrying about them now.
SDG

A Breather

This past week has been crazy!

• Went to the park Sunday afternoon because it was gorgeous and hung out with friends all day. (Also, locked my keys in my car at church Sunday night, but that's a different story)
• Roommate moved in for good (finally!) on Monday.
• Had company with us from Monday til Wednesday, ensuring a surplus of activity-- on top of classes and work.
• Thursday, went to work, grocery shopped with the rooms, Ash cooked for Kat and I, and then we all watched several episodes of How I Met Your Mother, then we went out for a bit.
• Today I spent mostly compiling and organizing study materials for my first graduate student test next Tuesday, with a break for a quick run and some house work.

Though this week has been an unending list of things to do, I'm so grateful to actually have the opportunity to do them! I used to miss weeks like this during my extended summer vacation (that's what I'm calling my semester break between State and Southern). Tomorrow, though, all that is on the agenda is to sit around and finish up my assigned reading for next week. After that, who knows.
SDG

A Thrifting Adventure

Sometime yesterday evening, the urge to thrift came over me; therefore, I knew exactly what I wanted to do this beautiful afternoon (I think it must have reached 60 and it's been sunny all day). So, Kat and I set out on our adventure.

First we hit up Milkspiller. Not much for clothes, but we spent well over an hour browsing books and looking at records. I left with two paperbacks: Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle In Time and A Wind In the Door. I also bought two coasters made from a Steve Miller Band and Molly Hatchet record. Kat found some really cool old books.

Then we went to Goodwill, which was just down the street. I found a bunch of really nice tops that I can wear to my new job. I also found this really cute lightweight denim skirt, but it was too big, so I had to put it back.

After Goodwill, we went to Calico Mall. It was awesome. One could literally spend hours in that place looking at all the vintage and antique stuff. I left with a Methodist Hymnal from 1989 and a yellow necklace. Kat and I, however, spent a significant amount of time trying on hats.

Here are the end results from the afternoon. I'm very pleased.

Now, I'm awaiting Kat and Josh and maybe a few others for some dinner. Such a good, good Saturday.
SDG

I got a job!

Yes, it finally happened! I am once again a lowly intern. I'm not putting in many hours... or making much money, but it will be enough for rent and bills, which is of the utmost importance at this point.

I've gone in twice this week. I really enjoy it. I've been updating their member email list, creating and scheduling event emails, proofing newsletter articles, and writing some. Everyone I work with is super nice. Though, what's really awesome is that they serve lunch there, and I can eat for free! Today I had a salad and asparagus and Parmesan soup. It was sooo good!

However, now I must get to work on some assignments. I have five article summaries (which I've only done two and a half of) and a chapter to read by Monday, three chapters to read by Tuesday along with a paper topic (I'm leaning towards a cultural analysis of Supernatural), and two law cases to look up by Wednesday. It's not a whole lot, but I'll have company early next week who I'll want to spend time with, and as soon as I finish all the reading for this week, I'll have the next week's to tackle. Ick. It never ends.

Yea for education and yea for employment!
SDG

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD..."

I don't know exactly how to convey what I'm feeling right now. Every time I try to express it, the words sound trite and cliche. Seeing how the Lord works in my life is just absolutely astounding to me, especially when I consider it in relation to how completely undeserving I am, but I guess that's just the definition of grace in action.

I read a passage in Exodus a few days ago-- chapter 14, the crossing of the Red Sea.

[10] When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. [11] They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? [12] Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
(Exodus 14:10-12 ESV)

I feel like the people of Israel most of the time. The Israelites have witnessed time and time again God's power, yet at the first sign of trouble, they cry out to return to the familiar, the safe-- a life of slavery. In the same way, I see God act in my life, but start to doubt His unending love and faithfulness whenever He calls me to do something I'm not comfortable with, i.e. move four hours away from home with no certainty of an income. I feel like I also cry out, "Leave me alone, so I can handle life the way I think it should be."  However, Moses replies:

[13] And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. [14] The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
(Exodus 14:13-14 ESV)

What wonderful, lovely words for God's children. The LORD will fight for you. And what do we have to do to earn this promise of deliverance? You have only to be silent. Nothing. Not talk about Christ to the most number of people. Not wear all the right t-shirts, listen to all the right songs, or go to all the right conferences. Praise the Lord our salvation rests solely in Christ's blood, received not by works, but by faith. See the salvation of the LORD which he will work for you today. Oh, how I need to hear those words of Moses everyday of my life!

Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria

Where I'd Like To Be

It's 33 degrees outside and sleeting. I'm bundled up in my apartment with assigned readings, coffee, and Indie music. Don't get me wrong, I'm content with books, music, coffee, and generally being lazy, but all I can think about right now is being somewhere like this.

I haven't been kayaking since October 2009. I want to be out on the water, in the sunshine, listening to the sounds of the river. I want warm weather and swimsuits. I want to feel the sun hot on my skin, penetrating to my bones. I'm trying to curb this desire by looking up places near the 'burg to paddle and by fantasizing about possible future trips. As soon as school and the weather permit, that's where I'm heading.

However, for now, there are still two chapters I want to tackle, it's still sleeting, and I need to fix some lunch.
SDG

New Album: Fleet Foxes

Finally! Some new music I'm eager to review!

Fleet Foxes has announced the release of its new album, Helplessness Blues, for May 3rd. Yes, I know that's a long time to wait for the beautiful echoed harmonies, Robin Pecknold's incredible high vocals, and the symphony of acoustic guitar wonder. However, the band was kind enough to give us a tiny taste to whet our appetites and hopefully hold us off until then. The title track from the upcoming album is now up for a free download! I've embedded it here for your listening pleasure.



I'm currently in the process of listening to it on repeat. So far, it's exactly what I was hoping for. We get all those things distinctly Fleet Foxes-y, but with a different spin. Like always, I hear a hint of '70s Folk and Southern Rock. The verses here bring to mind America's "Horse With No Name" or maybe some James Taylor, and the chorus, the Allman Brothers. I'm really pleased with this track, and I'm so excited to hear the rest of the album!
SDG