Christmas Come Early

Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year. I was in several department stores over this past weekend, and the stores were already playing Christmas music! And, stores begin to bring out their Christmas decorations even before Halloween! I know that I'm guilty of saying, "I can't believe they've already got their Christmas stuff out!" or "Why do they bring the Christmas decorations out so early? It's not even Halloween yet!" But, as I was walking through Barnes and Noble this weekend, listening to some Christmas tunes, I was struck with a thought. Why not celebrate Christmas early? What better cause for celebration than the birthday of Jesus?! We (I) should celebrate Jesus' birth and God's ultimate gift to us ALL year long, so if stores want to pull out Christmas trees and play Christmas songs before Halloween, I'm all for it! Of course, many public places want Christmas to be completely secular and take away any faith-based aspect of it, but we, children of the King, know that that's simply not possible. THE reason we celebrate Christmas is Christ. So, next time you see stores pulling out their Christmas decorations in October, or hear Christmas songs being played before you've carved your jack-0-lantern, let it be a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas, and be thankful for the most incredible Gift we could ever ask for!

Lessons Learned in Boston

Compiled by Mallory, Lindsay, and Erica

1. You are not cool unless you are wearing tall boots outside your jeans.

2. Dunkin' Donuts is to Boston as Starbucks is to NYC. There's one on every corner.

3. Mallory, Lindsay, and Erica walking down the streets of Boston = "Charlie's Angels" to the local homeless population. Or at least 2 of them. On the same day.

4. Paul Revere did not say, "The British are coming, the British are coming!" That makes no sense, according to the passionate historian at the Revere household. He said, "The Regulars are coming, the Regulars are coming!"

5. Churches feel the need to make political statements.

6. While staying on the 5th floor of the Holiday Inn Express, you may be forced to sleep with the window open and a fan propped in it, even though it's 40 degrees outside. But be careful, the fan could fall out the window into the alley below. Not that we (almost) found out the hard way.

7. While visiting Boston the last week in October, you may find yourself asking the question, "Is that a costume, or is that for real?"

8. People from Boston think we have an accent. We think they have an accent.

9. He might be lying in the hospital with amnesia, but more likely he's just not that into you. (Taken from He's Just Not That Into You: Your Daily Wake-Up Call. Only $1.01 at Urban Outfitters. We both got one.)

10. Never assume all statues are made of steel. Some are people spray painted gold.

11. Some waiters at seafood restaurants know that there is a God in heaven because lobsters that are the size of the table you are eating off of and that cost $200 do not happen by accident.

12. The Bruins do not play basketball. In fact, most cities only have 1 basketball team.

13. Never trust limo drivers at the airport, even when they tell you they are the same price as cabs. They lie.

14. Sometimes it's just too much trouble to open the door and walk 10 extra steps to the counter at McDonalds.

15. Umbrellas are useless during a monsoon.

16. Mike's Pastry is worth the wait.

17. Curtis....

(Okay, this has nothing to do with Boston, but it was the most quoted video of the trip. You should watch it.)

18. Three girls from Georgia visiting Boston are "real Southern belles" to a waiter from Boston.

Running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Is what I feel like at work.

But, I am thankful for a job.

Fall Fun

Some friends came over last week to have a chili-eating, pumpkin-carving party. We had a great time...here are a few pictures from the night, and of our finished products!

mine
Laura's

Laurie's

Breathe in...

...breathe out. Finally. I'm doing it again, breathing. Life is looking up. I (think I) know what I'm doing with my life, where I'm going, where I'm living, where I'm working. Although, I should know more than anyone that making plans doesn't necessarily mean anything; if it's not what God wants, He'll change your (my) plans. But, for now, this little bit of stability is enough for me.

I got some good news yesterday. I passed the NBCOT! I literally had tears in my eyes while I was checking my score online, because I was so afraid I had failed. When I saw that incredible 6-letter word....passed....I thought my heart would burst from happiness. I looked at it for a while, to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me, then jumped up and down (literally), called my mama and screamed into the phone that I PASSED!!!! I called my daddy, and he laughed, and called my grandma, and she said she wasn't surprised :) {But I certainly was!} Lindsey called (she found out her score yesterday too), and our conversation went something like this...

Phone rings...
Me: The scores are posted.
L: I know, did you check?
Me: Did you?
L: Did you?
Me: Yes, did you?
L: Yes.
Me: Did you pass?
L: Did you pass?
Me: Yes, did you?
L: Yes!
*Lots of screaming*
(This all took about 3.5 seconds...)

I went to Statesboro to have lunch with my mama, Madelyn, and my aunt and cousin. I pulled out my Chris Tomlin CD to listen to on the way, and was overwhelmed by the love I felt from our Heavenly Father. I know that there is NO way I could've passed this test without Him. This was a HUGE answered prayer. I had tears in my eyes the whole ride there, with a fresh realization that God is on my side, that He cares for me, loves me, and has my best interests at heart. The night before, as I was doing my quiet time, the book I'm using (Solo) suggested to pray and ask God to reveal Himself in a new way. I prayed this prayer, and He certainly did reveal Himself to me! I am so thankful for His kindness and love, and for all of the blessings He so generously gives.

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and
You know them by name.
You are amazing God.
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God.

~"Indescribable," Chris Tomlin

The Fair!

Yesterday we went to the fair, and took Madelyn with us. I love the fair! We've gone every year (that I can remember) since I was a little girl. One of my earliest memories is riding on the Ferris Wheel with my Daddy...I remember closing my eyes the entire time because I was scared :) I'm not a big rider, but I love walking around and people-watching. And eating pancakes and sausage at the pancake house, of course. This year it was so sweet to carry Madelyn around and see her reaction to everything. She and her Mama rode on the Merry-Go-Round; I don't think she knew what to think about it! She also had her first taste of cotton candy...I think she liked it!

Dreams

I still dream about it. Last night, it was the day of the wedding. Guests were already arriving at the church. I was in my wedding dress. I was a wreck. I knew I was doing the wrong thing. There was no happiness, no joy, on this wedding day. Not the way it should be. I finally broke down and told my Daddy that I couldn't do it, that I didn't want to get married, that I didn't want to do the wrong thing. He immediately said that was alright, and we should go announce to the people in the church that there wouldn't be a wedding. I was relieved, but sad and upset that that was happening, that I had caused it. I was crying, wishing it was just a dream. And I woke up this morning, and it was just a dream.

Only, really it wasn't a dream. It happened. Not exactly like that, not that close to the wedding, but still, it happened.

And I still grieve over it. I still hurt for hurting others. I still ache for the pain I caused him. I am still embarrassed that I planned a wedding then called it off. I am still sorry that my parents had to deal with undoing everything that I had done. I am still grateful that my parents supported me. I am still thankful for my friends who helped me through rough times.

And I still dream about it. And I wish I didn't.