White Space & Running

White Space
When I was in Yearbook in High school, we talked about designing pages with white space to let the reader's eye "rest".  I found that the pages I was drawn to look at over and over again had just enough white space to help me see what was really important. 

The same is true for many of the blogs I enjoy reading.  I found that I really like the ones with the simple design and just enough white space.  So I decided to change my blog design up a bit.  We'll see how long it lasts; I was just ready for a bit of a change.  (Sometimes I get antsy to redecorate or rearrange.  Just the other day, I was rearranging my apartment in my head.  Just for fun.)

Running
About two months ago, I started running.  If you know me at all, you must know that I don't work out.  Ever.  I've been blessed with a very fast metabolism that enables me to eat at Sonic and any other fast food restaurant without it affecting my waistline.  Now before you get all jealous on me, just think about how unhealthy that really is, and then think about what that's doing to my insides that I can't see.  Nope--not a very pretty picture! 

I started jogging and walking in two-minute segments {it's affectionately known as "wogging" now}.  It was actually kind of embarrassing that I could barely run two minutes straight.  I have a very sweet friend that's been so encouraging through this entire process, and we often run together.  I used to not be able to run and carry on a conversation.  Now, it's much better.  At one point, I could run up to 15 minutes without stopping.  I took about five days off in a row, though, so I've got to work back up to that.  I'm training for a 5k in about three weeks, and I've got to get myself in gear!  While I don't always enjoy the actual running (though some days, I do), I really enjoy the results and knowing that I'm taking better care of myself.  And the muscles I've discovered in my legs are pretty cool.  :-) 

Tying it all together
Last night I ran by myself in my parents' neighborhood.  The weather was actually cool, and there were just a few sprinkles.  It was so uncharacteristic of a day in June, and I couldn't believe it.  I feel horrible for the people affected by the hurricane that's headed for the Texas coast, but I'm grateful for the cooler weather it's bringing.

My iPod was dead, so I didn't have anything to occupy my head while I was running.  Sometimes I get really bored when I run alone.  But I decided that I would make the most of it, and used that time to pray instead.  If we've talked in the last month at least, know that you were probably prayed for last night! 

Yesterday's run provided my head (and heart) with some much-needed White Space.  A chance to rest while running, if you will.

Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The Laughing Pic

Armed with my college roomies, I'm fairly convinced I could do almost anything.  We might even be rather intimidating when combined.  {Or so I've been told.}

Katie came in town from Nashville, and Smoo from Fayetteville (but she's moving here this week--woohoo!), and we all went to a wedding together on Friday night.  

{Front Porch Pic}

I had a blast getting ready with them before the wedding.  There's just something about getting ready with a bunch of girls that is so fun.  And just for the record, all three of us showered, dressed and were out the door in one hour and 20 minutes.  That's quite a feat for three girls simultaneously.  And we didn't even run out of hot water.  Victory.  Thankfully, Claire let us take over her double-sink bathroom while we got ready--thanks, Roomdog!

Before we moved in to 12th and Wood, I had Katie and Smoo out to the lake house.  I told them to bring a black shirt and jeans, and we would have a little photo shoot so we could have a few pics of us for our new a-p-t.  At some point, I said, "Let's take a laughing pic!"  They thought I was crazy. (And that was only the beginning of my madness, I'm certain.)  And then they began to laugh.  So now the "laughing pic" is a must-have when we're together.  

The reception was at the Downtown Sheraton, and the food was delicious and the dancing was fabulous.    I may have found my new favorite wine there as well.  Katie made sure to keep the water coming, though :-)

{Wednesday Lunch, plus one: Drew, Me, Brian, Samantha and Katie}  

Somehow (probably thanks to Katie) during finals of our junior year, we got involved in a prank war with the groom, Brian, and his 5 other roommates.  When we started it, we barely knew them.  By the time Christmas rolled around, we had all become good friends.  

In the spring when we got back, it ended up being the four of us pictured above eating at various Waco restaurants every Wednesday.  We had the best time, and it often turned from lunch to hanging out at our apartment for several hours afterwards.  Samantha (Sam) came into the picture in the late spring that year, and now we've added her to our lunch bunch as well.  

I think this could be a Baylor ad.  This is one of the best parts of campus--Pat Neff Hall and Judge Baylor.  And this is typical Katie-and-Brian craziness that always ensues when we're together.  And as usual, Drew and I are the normal ones.  :-)

Drew is in LA, I'm holding down the fort in Texas, Brian and Sam are in Seattle, and Katie is in Nashville now.  It's crazy to think how all-over-the-map we are now.  Good thing we have some great places to go visit!

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

Yesterday was my sweet friend Amanda's birthday.  We've known each other since about sixth grade when my aunt introduced us in Houston.  I remember not being too sure about this chick at the time.  I kind of kept up with her through my aunt over the years, and we reconnected when we both got to Baylor.  I'm so glad we did!

We have so many memories through college together, and I'm so grateful for her friendship.  Now, we work for the same non-profit, but in different cities, so it's fun to get to talk with her about work, but it's also great not to have to talk about it at all!

{Earlier this spring Amanda came to visit and we went to a park.  

It was a bit too cold to stay long, so we quickly headed to the nearest mall!}

Here are some things I love about Amanda--just to name a few:

• She's a kind and loyal friend.  She will drop anything and be there for you.  
• We can laugh, shop, talk, not talk, or do whatever together.  It's easy to be "me" around her!
• In the Fall of my senior year, we began meeting weekly to pray for one another.  It was a sweet time for both of us, and quickly became a highlight of my week.  
• We share a lot of the same interests--decorating, family and friends.  (Not in any particular order ha!)
• She's a great listener and gives wise, sound advice--I call her to hear her thoughts on all sorts of things!

We often joke that we should meet halfway for lunch because we are always seeming to lack a lunch buddy.  I've spent several lunches in my car chatting with her on the phone.  It's not quite the same, but it'll do for now.  :-)  

Love you, Amanda!  Hope you had a wonderful day!  

The Gift of Laughter

It's no secret on this blog that I pretty much enjoy anything by Beth Moore.  Today's entry is no exception.  I can totally relate.

Perhaps this got my attention because of a sermon I heard on Sunday about Abraham.  The pastor preached on the Promises of God, and how Abraham was discouraged because God promised him a son years ago, and there was still no child.  But the crux of the message was this:

"Great things can happen when we live out the promises of God and put our trust in the Promise Maker."

The key is that God always keeps his promises.  Man might not, but God always will and does.  So today, when Beth wrote about Abraham's wife, Sarah, you better believe I sat up straighter in my chair.  This was about the fulfilled promise to Abraham.

She focused on Genesis 21:1-7, specifically verses 6 and 7:

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

Who would have predicted to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?

Yet, I have given him a son in his old age.”

 

Beth went on to say how grateful she was for the gift of laughter that only women share, and she gave many personal examples of reasons she's been given to laugh lately.  There are just some things that are so much funnier when you share it with girls. 

 

I couldn't agree more.  I sat during my lunch hour and talked to one of my dearest friends, Amanda, on the phone for a good 45 minutes yesterday--in a Wendy's parking lot.  {It's the closest thing we can do right now to have lunch together, since we don't live in the same city!}  We laughed and smiled our way through the entire conversation. 

 

Later I laughed some more over dinner with my roomdog, Claire.  This laughter also continued as we grocery shopped and she did a ballet routine in an empty aisle, right next to the cereal.

 

All that to say, I am grateful for laughter and grateful for friends to laugh with on a daily basis.  Perhaps that's one reason why I enjoy blogging so much--it provides yet another way to laugh with friends.

Lake Lovin'

Memorial Day weekend, I headed to the lake to spend time with some of my favorite people.  It was lovely.  I was a bit out of practice with lake procedures, though, as we hopped on the tube without lifejackets.  Oops.  Not to worry, my mom reminded us, (thanks, Mom!) and we were good to go.  

The picture above was taken just moments after I jumped in the water and something bit my backside.  I'm not joking.  As you can see from pictures later in the post, we were in some shallow water, and there seemed to be a creature living in the bullrushes or something.  I yelled, "Something just went up my shorts!" And did a lovely little hip-shaking dance, just in case it was still there.  This was quite amusing to my audience in the boat, I'm certain.  Lovely. 

{Life jackets--much needed.}

{Smoo, Me and Lyndsy--all smiles for our boat ride!}

{Smoo and I headed out on the jet skis to fill them up with gas.  It was a crazy ride because there were so many boats out for the weekend.}

{We played Wii Boxing.  I got a little competitive.  I don't like to lose--even when I have no idea what I'm doing.}

It was a fun weekend filled with lots of friends and family.  I very much enjoyed it.  We had a revolving door pretty much, with people in and out.  My parents are wonderful hosts, and they don't ever bat an eye--even when we have 30+ people there (it's happened!). 

Hooray for Summer and for weekends.  They are my favorite!

Facebook Official.

It's official: my Dad is on Facebook.  I'm slightly weirded out, but I went ahead and friended him today when I realized that we had 35 friends in common, and it was only going to get worse.  {And just for the record, Dad, I'm glad we're friends--on Facebook and in real life.}

{Easter 2010 in Mexico}

Well, I figured it was high time to give a little shout-out on this bloggy to my Dad. 

{I just think this one is really funny}

Here are just a few reasons why my Dad is super-great:

• He loves my Mama.  And he opens all doors for her--planes, trains, and automobiles {ok, mostly cars and restaurant doors}. 

• He takes care of all the car stuff at our house--inspections, license plates, insurance, etc.  But then he taught me how to do that stuff too.  {Something about "If you teach a child to fish..."}

• He {and Mom} are our biggest fans.  If we can dream it, then we can do it...at least in their minds!

• On the occasion that we're in church together, Dad usually rearranges how we're sitting in the pew so that he can stand next to me and hear me sing. 

• Dad in "Vacation Mode" is my favorite.  He ends up doing things like this, which I find quite hilarious:

{If this is how he is on vacation, then I can't wait for retirement!}

• He loves to read, and has instilled a love for books in me as well.  Mom & Dad never could say "no" to buying a book when we asked.  {I guess he's going to have to instill a love of the Kindle in me now, since he's so tech-savvy.}

• Drum lessons and Running:  two things my Dad has done in the last five years that he'd never really done before.  He's really good at trying new things and then getting really good at them.

So, welcome to the world of Social Networking, Dad.  It's grand.

Monday morning with C.S. Lewis

Why, hello there. 

I don't know if anyone likes these more serious, non-photo posts I've been doing lately, but I promise I'll put some pics up soon.  I just got back from a fun weekend in Nashville, and it was well-documented, but not with my camera. 

As much fun as it was to visit with great friends in Katie's awsome town of Nash, I also loved the feeling of coming home...to my apartment, to my city, in my world.  I hope that doesn't come across as self-centered or selfish, because that's not my intent.  I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm really content with where I am right now, which is a really fun place to be, and I am so grateful to be in this spot right now. 

This morning I ran across a C.S. Lewis quote that I thought was partiularly profound.  My cousin Anna loves quotes, so this is for you.  Maybe you'll read it when you come back from camp counsel-ing.

But the most obvious fact about praise-whether of God or any thing-strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor.

I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless (sometimes even if) shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it.

The world rings with praise-lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game-praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars.

I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds, praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least . . . I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise what ever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: "Isn't she lovely? Wasn't it glorious? Don't you think that magnificent?"

The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can't help doing, about everything else we value.

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.

(C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, [New York: Harcourt, Brace and World 1958], pp. 93-95.)

The Best Laid Plans

Hope you all have enjoyed a long Memorial Day weekend!  I spent most of it at the lake relaxing with friends and family.  It felt so great to get away.  I laughed a lot this weekend and made many sweet memories.  Sometimes I am so awe-struck that even in this earthly life we get to experience such joy.  I am so grateful. 

Today on Baby Bangs, Amanda Jones wrote a great post about how fragile our calendars are.  Instead of a week-long trip to Israel with her mom (Beth Moore), sister and Living Proof Ministry volunteers, Amanda ended up in Oklahoma at her husband's grandmother's funeral.  She was not complaining about any of it, but it did cause her to think and share this:

Then the question comes. Who exactly wounded me? No one. This was no one's fault. But God ordained it. And why? Is He trying to tell me something? Is He mad at me? Is He trying to show me how little control I really have over my life?

I don't know the answers but whatever lesson I'm supposed to be learning, I want to learn it. Not just learn it, but graduate summa cum laude, walk the stage with an honor sash around my neck, and be done with it. This paragraph alone shows my maturity, doesn't it?

I need His grace.

 

Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

 

I really liked her wanting to learn this lesson and graduate summa cum laude.  Such honesty.  I needed that reminder today about how fragile our plans are. It's so easy for me to plan out my future.  In fact, I already have it planned out in my head.  Ha.  I've been asking myself lately, though, what are the odds that it will really work out that way?  I have to remind myself that God's plans are so much bigger and better than mine. 

 

So I hope this encourages you today, to trust in the One who knows every hair on our head and has every one of our days mapped out.