How do you spell Love?

T-I-M-E.

At least that's how I spell it. On my lunch break (you know, the ones where I've already eaten, so I use them to run errands), I called my brother just to see if he was around. Lo and behold, he was! That, my friend, is a rare occurrence. (I say "friend" because today I actually have a follower. It's a big day.)

My phone informed me after we hung up that we'd talked for a full 27 minutes. That's enough time to make a Mama jealous. Perhaps I won't share that with her? (And no, this is not my phone. I got it here.)

These are just a few reasons why I love my brother:

• Once you get him going, he just talks and talks and talks. I love it.
• He's really good at making friends in all sorts of places. I remember going to the beach as a kid an he'd have five friends within two minutes.
• He's incredibly smart and well read, but he doesn't come across as a know-it-all. He just has all these random facts in his head that he pulls out whenever the time is right. It's really amazing.
• When he was home for Christmas, we had great time catching up at Chip's Hamburgers. Even though he somehow forgot to bring his wallet that day (how convenient).
• That same night, he came over for dinner and stayed for two hours to chat with me and my roomie. He even tried to build a fire. I determined that it was not the builder that was the problem, but the logs. Hey, at least he tried.

Ok, I think that's enough sappy-ness for today on here. But I just thought the world wide web would want to know.

Adios for now.

Truth: You Never Relly Stop Learning

I was reminded today that you never really stop learning. I mean, I knew that already, but it just rang true again for me. These last eight (oh my!) months since graduation, I have learned a lot about myself and about life in general.

First, I'm stronger than I thought. By the grace of God, He alone has enabled me to successfully navigate through some rough waters.

Secondly, I knew I had great friends, but MAN are they wonderful. The best kind are there for you when you need them the most and can hardly muddle through life, but there they are, checking on you, making you laugh, and taking you to get frozen yogurt five days in a row (true friends).

Thirdly, people were right when they tell you that college is the best time of your life. Granted, I haven't lived much past college yet, but those four years now have me wishing for four more, and wondering why in the heck I decided to get out of there so fast. It was a sweet time; not without strugges, but it was good. And I'm thankful for the memories. And the photos.

I'm going to lose the transitional numbers...I've never really liked them anyway. It can take a long time to find a job. Especially in this economy. But really, it all comes down to who you know. Seriously. Networking is key.

I didn't know this about myself, but I'm an extremely loyal person. I thrive on old frienships, and I value keeping in touch.

I'm pretty efficient at getting work done. I wasn't aware of this, but after working in the "real world," I can say that, I think. I love checking things off my to-do list at the office. Surprisingly getting stuff done at home isn't as easy. (See next point.)

Laundry is constant. Yes, I know we all know this, but I was just reminded of it. Seriously...it never stops. I don't know how people with families keep up with it. Crazy.

My priorities have shifted from go-go-go, to making the most of relationships and taking life at a slower pace. At first, it was rather shocking to have free time. I didn't really like it. Now, I'm learning to embrace it, because I don't know how long it will last.

Making friends takes time. Lots of time. Especially when you move and all your friends that you're closest to don't live nearby. And you have to be willing to put yourself out there and try things outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes they pay off, and sometimes they don't. But at least you tried.

Having a place of your own is quite a treat. I have really enjoyed getting settled into my new apartment.

Last week, I discovered that I like to try new things to cook. One night, I made pork loin and had leftovers, so we had stir-fry later that week. And when I didn't have time or oven space to make baked potatoes with the pork loin, I found a recipe for oven fries instead. And they were delicious!

Life will not always be perfect, but hang on to the good things--bitterness never looked good on anyone.

Suitcase packing tips!

I know it's been a while. Happy 2010! I just love the evenness of typing 2010. It's great. I hope it's going to be a wonderful year.

I spent quite a bit of 2009 traveling all over Europe, and I was excited to see the tips on Real Simple's website for how to pack a suitcase. I like to think of packing as a game, especially now that the airlines make it so complicated and expensive to check bags (except Southwest!).

So here it is: Real Simple's version of how to pack a bag. I'm all for rolling as much as you can instead of folding. It really does save so much space--more than I thought! That's how I got around Europe using a daypack backpack instead of a huge camping bag (my back couldn't have handled it, that's for sure!).

I'm not sure where my travels will take me this year--hopefully trips in Texas to visit sweet friends, and also out of state to visit, too. We shall see...

Humbled.

On Tuesday, I participated with work for an event called Feast of Sharing, put on by Central Market. They provided a Thanksgiving meal to people that typically will not have one over the holidays.

You can imagine the kind of people that came in droves that day: homeless, hungry, sick, tired and dirty. They wanted someone to listen to them. And I was most taken aback at their response when we asked how they were doing. Do you know what they said?

Blessed.

That was their response. I couldn't believe it. Here I was on the other side of the table, squirming in my chair, uncomfortable with their answer, because I was concerned about unpacking boxes at my new place and furnishing my apartment with "necessities" like a bath mat. Whoa.

It blew me away that they were so focused on their blessings. How many times do I wish things were different, so I focus on what I don't have, even though I have more than enough?

Then, I read blogs like Kelly's Korner, where Kelly and her husband are currently with Compassion International meeting children and families in El Salvador. These kids have nothing, they live in shacks out in jungles. And once again I am humbled, and I wonder what to do next.

I don't know what my response will be exactly. I am becoming more aware of hurting people that need to be shown Christ's love, and my heart aches for them. Yet here I sit.

But I also know that the Lord has put me in this spot for a reason. Here I sit at a non-profit organization, where I can minister to those around me. After all, that is where I am, currently. After many job applications and months of waiting, I work here for a reason. Not sure exactly why, yet, but here I am.

In John 15, Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" and Peter says yes. Three times. After each of Peter's responses, Jesus says this:

Feed my lambs.

Take care of my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

Sheep are dumb. Smelly. Lost. In need of a Shepherd. Sounds a lot like us, huh? I know it sounds a lot like me. I am so thankful that I have Christ to be my Good Shepherd.

And if we are supposed to be more Christ-like every day, then I suppose I should try and feed some sheep, whether in an office, on the streets, or in an apartment. In the end, they are no different than me.

New Digs.

I moved on Saturday. And I'm loving it. I realized that I have not lived in a space of my very own in 10 months. January through April I was in the Netherlands studying abroad and staying in a dorm or various hostels. After graduation I moved home and have been there 'til now.

Neither one were bad experiences. In fact, there were great things about living in a dorm: I was in Europe. Hello! And living at home: free food, free rent, and a hug from Mom any time. Not too shabby. But there's something to be said about having your own place with your own stuff. Plus, I had this, and many other assorted items all in storage, just begging to be arranged:

I must confess that this is not MY actual purple couch, but I do have one. I just don't have a picture. Yet. I bought it the day I got my job. I walked into a Consignment store and found it and thought I had to have it. Perhaps one of my craziest purchaces. Ever. But I like it, and it goes well with the other stuff we have in our new a-p-t.

Thankful Thursday

It's yet another rainy day here in Dallas. I can't remember a time when I've seen it rain so much, so often. Yesterday was a bit of a challenge, so to keep away any gloomy thought headed my way, I thought I'd combat it with a list of things I'm thankful for this Thursday.

• A full-time job in a bad economy. Need I explain? We all know things aren't so great...
• A roommate and an apartment. I can't wait to move in and get settled next week. It's been 10 months since I've lived in my own place with my own stuff. That's a long time!
• A brother who called me on his way to class this morning. I put it on speakerphone so I could still get ready for work. I take any chatty moments with him I can get!
• My family of four will be together tonight. It's always an adventure. And we'll probably eat Mexican food since Troy doesn't get much of it in Boston...gotta love it.
• Time spent with my grandparents at my new apartment last night. They sat on the only piece of furniture that we have set up, and we had the best catch-up time as I sprawled out on the floor. It was grand.
• Baylor Homecoming--one of my favorite times of the year last weekend. What a great way to kick off Fall. I love all the traditions and seeing sweet friends, reliving great memories and making new ones.

Whenever we would get down or start complaining, my mom would start singing the hymn, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings see what God has done..." I think it rubbed off on me. Thanks, Mom. :-) Now I'm singing it, too.

A Marley Just for Me

I read Marley & Me the summer after my freshman year in college, and I've wanted a dog of my very own ever since. That never seems to be feasible, though, so instead I just dream.

Part of the problem is that my family has the best dog in the entire world, Skippy. We adopted him about eight years ago, and he is the most laid-back dog you'll ever meet. He barks once a year. Never has an accident in the house, loves people, and plays well with others. Sounds like the perfect dog, right? We think so.


I have more pictures on my phone of him than anything else. To say that we are in love with the dog is an understatement. I think you could say that he is very comfortable around us. What do you think?


Now, back to a dog of my very own...

When I said I dream of one, I mean I actually look for them. I often visit the same site where we found Skippy, a local animal rescue agency called Stars Pets. Before you scroll through and think, "Oh my gosh, those dogs are strange." (Some of them are odd, some of them are special.) Just know that the speciaize in small dogs. Skippy was a exception. Apparently this guy is, too. Meet Hamilton:

He is a "nearly white" golden retriever, about a year old, weighing in at a whopping 72 pounds. If I had a backyard, an apartment without an astronomical pet deposit, and patience for a dog in puppy school, I would get him in a heartbeat. {Ok, I realize that's a lot of stipulations. Clearly I'm not ready for a dog.} I just think he is too cute! I love the wrinkles. And that name just fits him, don't you think??