Nearly 1 a.m.

I accidentally deleted the photos in this blog. Don't ask me how exactly, but I certainly did it. I'm in the process of adding them back, though, so be patient.

Christmas has come and past. It seems the years are going by faster and faster, though this has indeed been an eventful one. Just this time last year I was planning a move to Hattiesburg, applying for graduate school, and spending my days with three amazing kids.

Now, I live in Hattiesburg, I'm very nearly done with graduate school, and I'm looking at big girl jobs that may take me even further away from the familiar. It's scary, but so was Hattiesburg initially, and that turned out better than I could have ever imagined.

I've been home (1st home) for several days now. I took this week off work, so I don't plan on going back til after the New Year. I've had time to finish a book, The Hunger Games, and I plan on checking out the other two in the the series from the library tomorrow. I'm well into season four of Bleach, an anime series I inadvertently became addicted to. And, I've made some good progress on a knitting project.

I need time like this. Time to be me... to find me. Sometimes I get so caught up in being Grad School Brittany, Work Brittany, Responsible-Pay-the-Bills-and-Buy-Groceries Brittany, I loose some of my essence. I know I've found it again, though, when I feel like my nine-year-old self on summer vacation. Reading until dawn, fantasizing about life, thinking about all the things I want to learn, see, do.

It's the little things that make me happy.
SDG

Oh, hey. It's November.

I know, I know. It's been forever since I've last posted. I haven't much felt like documenting my life here on the interwebs. I've been crazy busy with school, hanging out with friends in the spare moments, cleaning in other spare moments, working... oh, and taking care of my dog.

Yes, I have a dog now. Don't tell my landlords. Her name is Achei (pronounced Ah-shay). It's Portuguese for "Found you!", and before you get impressed at my language skills, it was a friend who grew up in Brazil and speaks fluent Portuguese that named her, not me, and he will quickly tell you my Portuguese skills are very lacking. She is uber cute, smart, and knows both of these things for herself and frequently takes advantage of them. :)

Secondly, I got to visit dear Starkville friends this weekend! It was so amazing! Well, I say Starkville friends, and really, it's only Cathy that still lives there, but I made these friends in Starkville, so that's what they will remain, even if some live in Jackson or Collierville.

I also got to experience some amazing bands live last weekend, the Avett Brothers, John Mark McMillan, Chris August (okay, not really a band), Gungor, and David Crowder*Band.

The Avett Brothers played at Bulldog Bash last Friday night. I had to endure some awful pop-country singer to get a good view of the stage, but it was worth it!

The other bands were a part of David Crowder*Band's 7Tour. They played in Jackson Sunday night. It was the last show of their last tour... ever. We were on the front row. It. was. amazing.

John Mark McMillan

Chris August

Gungor

Us literally on the stage

David Crowder!

Mark & Hogan

Mark, Hogan, Bwack, Crowder, Jack, and Mike D

It was an amazing night spent worshipping with amazing friends led by amazingly talent musicians.

Now, I should be working on a research pilot study. I don't have class until the 28th, but there is so much that needs to happen before then... like writing a lit review, figuring out my methodology, gathering my sample, formulating a code book and coding sheet, running stats.... Okay, breathe, Brittany, breathe. Must be productive now.
SDG

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

We've probably all heard this poem by Emily Dickinson:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

This weekend, some of my family and close friends camped together. I had so many unspoken desires and prayers about this trip as I was planning it. Tonight, though, a friend shared with me a goal of his for this trip,  and it was exactly what had been on my heart. To know that God heard my pleas, and placed that on my friend's heart as well, moves me tremendously. To know that my friends care about me, and to see God actively working in an area of my life I've thought was hopeless, suddenly renews my spirit.

I'm on a high right now-- a high from an amazing trip away from cell phones, computers, homework-- a high from fresh air, shooting stars, and campfires-- a high from God's abounding love and faithfulness.

Hope is the thing with feathers and I've heard it in the chilliest land. Amen.
SDG

Last Week

Last week I went home. It had been over two months, which is a long time for me. While I spent a majority of my time working on assignments, it was so good seeing my family. It was also good being able to take my laptop on the patio and enjoy the outdoors while being productive. Here's my paper-writing buddy. He missed me. :)

While I was not writing papers, though, I got to do a little shopping. Granna was kind enough to buy me some amazingly cute clothes (one item being some red skinny jeans!) and my sister found the perfect item for me to purchase for my coming nephew!

It says "My Auntie is the Best," which I totally will be! I left Sunday right after my cousins' 8th birthday party. Just an fyi, it's very hard to find the motivation to leave your family and drive 4 hours when they are having fun and eating cake. Yea for cousins!

It's good to be back in Hattiesburg, but I already miss my family. It's sort of a catch-22, because when I was in Tupelo, I missed my Hattiesburg family. I guess I'm really lucky to have so many amazing people in my life who care about me. God has indeed blessed me beyond comprehension.
SDG

Good Morning/Afternoon

How I've woken up the past few weeks:

1. Heard alarm
2. Groaned
3. Turned off alarm
4. Imagine what it'd feel like to sleep a few hours more
5. Groaned again
6. Rolled out of bed

How I woke up today:

1. Woke up on my on
2. Smiled because I had nothing to get up for
3. Opened my eyes
4. Realized I was home
5. Smiled again
6. Went back to sleep

Yea, mornings with no obligations! Yea, Tupelo!
SDG

I Asked The Lord

I heard this hymn at my visit to RUF a few weeks back. I remember singing the words and realizing how true they were. I made a mental note to remember the hymn for future reference, but of course I forgot the title.

However, a friend recently retweeted this article on Reformation 21, and lo and behold! It was about that very hymn! Divine providence? I think so.

It's relevance to the Christian walk and prayer is astounding. John Newton's words really struck a chord with me. Too many times I've asked, "Lord why is this?" and He's replied, "Tis in this way." I thought I'd republish the lyrics here for your enjoyment. :)
SDG

I Asked The Lord

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He'd answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt Thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me,
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

Change In Plans

Two things:

1. 14-year-old me picked a good band to be her all time favorite.
2. I think I shall drop out of grad school, quit work, and follow Coldplay around the world to work on my 14-year-old self's ambition: become Mrs. Chris Martin. :)

SDG