Excitement...

I never (EVER) like making decisions, and I never like things being “up in the air.” I either want to be, or not be. I don’t want to kind of be, and I do not like shades of grey. However, as I stand in the face of Truth, and read on my own heart the lessons of Christ’s faithfulness and trustworthiness that have been indelibly inscribed there, I realize I have a real choice to make.

When you face GOD, the living GOD, you must trust. When you face the reality of His faithfulness, you must obey.

I can choose to look away, keep my sights dead set on my own frustrations and who I think I am and who I think I am not—OR, I can choose joy and breathless excitement even on unsettled waters, knowing the same Creator who designed this

designs my future.

Mark, Jesus apostle, wrote, "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39)

Incredible…Is it any wonder the disciples were willing to die for Jesus? Never had they seen such power; never had they seen such glory. It was like, well, like the whole universe was his kingdom.
It’s only right that they declare his authority. It’s only right that we do the same. And when we do, we state without question: The ruler of the universe rules our hearts.
From
For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado

Weather to Travel?

Weather--particularly cold weather or rainy weather--transports my thoughts to another place. Wearing heavy jackets and wrapping scarves 'round my neck in cold, crisp weather sends me to the Red Square in Moscow, and humidity so heavy the very sidewalks seem to be melting and shimmering in the air before your eyes takes me to Houston.

Today is overcast and rainy, full of the kind of cool rain I’d imagine Portland or Seattle get in June. The pavement is slick. There’s been just enough rain to wash sediment and gravel-like dust over the parking lot and my tires make a soft crunch as I drive. As the thunderclouds gust vaguely overhead, the wind brings reminders of north-eastern Germany in July. Damp, cool raindrops mingle with sunshine and filter through tree leaves onto paved black roads and cobblestone sidewalks and European roofs. I spent one summer in Germany studying business, and one of our classrooms at the small international school I attended was three flights above the ground. We would wrap ourselves in light, gauzy sweaters and sit at shiny modern desks by open windows, listening to the rain drum gently, let up, and drum again. It whispered back and forth with distant peals of thunder while our professors droned on and on and I made multi-colored notes on notebook paper faintly lined in blue and wrinkled and softened by the humidity.
In the absence of a plane ticket, it's lovely to have sweet spring weather to help me transcend the limits of my bank account. Still, I'd rather be in Europe.

Summer Bucket List

In honor of the beautiful weather we've been having lately, I decided to post my very own Bucket List--my list of things to do before summer kicks the bucket.

Here it is:

1. Chase wildflowers
2. Visit the beach
3. Float down the river
4. Can something (strawberries!)
5. Eat one of the South’s fabulous peaches, and let its juices run down my chin and arms
6. Go skydiving
7. Plant a (balcony) garden
8. Write a book
9. Design a website
10. Learn a foreign language (Spanish)
11. Road trip! Florida? Tennessee? The Grand Canyon? Europe!
12. Stand on top of a mountain (big or small)
13. Make my bedroom/bathroom an Oasis
14. Go camping (can be combined with #2)
15. Read a Russian novel (in English)
16. Find, buy, and use a Polaroid camera

Happy Almost-Summer!

oh yeah, and i got an early start on my list...here's last summer's trip to the grand canyon!

Top Five Things on Sarah's Mind

(click on the photos to follow the links)

1.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2.

Awesome new blog!

Here's a sampling of her photos:

BEE-U-TEE-FUL! I just wish she sold them in bigger prints...

3.

I love looking up when I stand under a tree

4.

This is a neat idea I'll try myself; I already have the canvas, and I'll use paint and scraps of material and magazine cut-outs to say something special to me

5.

Another cool site~so many cool people in this world!

How do Jamaicans say "YUM"?

I dunno, but this recipe looks amazing...

Jamaican Veggie Patties

Sounds yuppy and tofu-ish, but Thursday night is definitely going to be Jamaica night at the apartment. Sidenote: I want to be Heidi Swanson when I grow up.

Speaking of Jamaica...I've been watching Season Three of The Office :). Favorite quote EVER:

Michael: (talking about Andy) He's up in my bid-ness, which is ebonics for "being in my face and annoying the bajeezes out of me." I don't understand how someone could have so little self awareness.

Cilantro Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

~15 Brussel Sprouts (a very large handful)
2T Parmesan Cheese (grated)
4 T Butter
Small handful Cilantro, barely chopped
1Tsp Salt

1. Cook brussel sprouts by placing them in boiling water for 3-5minutes, or until tender.
2. Remove brussel sprouts from boiling water, and slice in half.
3. Combine still hot brussel sprouts with parmesan cheese, butter, cilantro, and salt so that the butter melts and the toppings combine.
4. Serve hot and enjoy!

Pop Quiz: How do You Get Rid of Guilt?

A) Do so much good it covers up the bad
B) Deny the existence of right and wrong
C) Nail your guilt to a cross with God

or

D) Get rid of God

If you're a NoToPope coalition member in Australia, you might choose D.