Today I turn twenty four years young. Can’t believe I am this old and decrepit. HA!
I share a birthday with: Reese Roper from Five Iron Frenzy, Matisyahu the Jewish Reggae Rapper, and Mike Tyson the ear biter.
Also, June 30 happens to be a very important/sad date in history:
June 30, 1755 Philippines close all non-catholic Chinese restaurants
Got this in my email this morning…really needed to hear it today.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16
I got a new guitar for my birthday. It’s an Alvarez PF2005 solid mahogany. It sounds UH-MAZING.
(thank you…it means the world to me)
Yearning to Know God’s Will by Danny E. Morris
To think that God could put an idea into someone’s mind and that person could comprehend that idea and immediately act upon it with unquestioning determination is the most remarkable wonder of all!
A second wonder is that God has given all of us this capacity. God communicates with all of us! We get little nudges–feelings that this or that should be done or not done; we get hunches and leadings, signs and signals, and sometimes direct messages.
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Until recently I have kind of viewed these past ten months as a sort of transition period. I had a goal in mind: to get myself out to Seattle for graduate school. So I made sure that everything I was doing somehow contributed to meeting that goal. Get a job, save some money, read some more, stay unattached to make moving easier, etc.. It was a time that was only important to me because it was helping me get to where I really want to go.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that these past ten months, my transition time, would become so much more. I’d like to believe that I’ve grown since last summer. I think that is true. I am astounded by the people and opportunities God has placed before me as well.
Some of the changes I’ve seen:
-I am much more fearless than I used to be. This was really apparent during my trip to China. I was intimidated by far less than I would have ever imagined. The fact that I ate any of the crazy food is a testament to that. But perhaps more significant was my taking a giant leap out of my comfort zone without ever giving it a second thought. I have learned that obedience is worth the pain and vulnerability it might take to get you there.
-I am much less negative that I used to be. I am well aware that I am just cynical by nature. But I have been making a conscious effort to try and be a little more positive. I’m no where near where I’d like to be, but have at least taken a few giant steps in the right direction.
-I am much more patient and react to less than I used to. There was a point in my life (that I am not very proud of!) where I would react negatively to the stupidest things.
Some of the things I’m still working on:
-I am still rather unassertive with people. This has been pointed out to me recently by a couple people whom I respect very much.
-I am still a people pleaser. I like harmony and do not like to do or say things that disturb that. I can see that I cannot possibly make everyone happy all the time, but I still try very hard!
Some of the blessings I’ve received:
-Living at home has afforded me the opportunity to save some money to get me out to Seattle. I probably would not have been able to do this without my parents’ help.
-I have had an awesome couple of jobs that have given me the opportunity to stretch myself and sharpen my skills. More importantly, I have met many people who I will remember for the rest of my life.
-I have spent an enormous amount of time with some awesome people, the Phipps! Rich & Marsha, you worked yourselves into my heart and you have taught me so much about life and faith and God and love. I don’t know what I’d do without you! And I look forward to many more years to come.
Only God knows how each day fits into the larger story of our lives. And to waste even one of those days is such a pity. I want to live each day with something to give, even when it feels like I’ve got nothing left to give. In the words of Chris Martin, “Oh, what good is it to live with noting left to give?”
I bought the new Coldplay CD the other day. I listened to the clips on itunes, and wasn’t too impressed. But I bought it anyways, and am glad I did. It is incredible! It is certainly a divergence from their typical sound. But still good. It has some Radiohead and U2 like influences. Check it out!
Have I mentioned lately how much I love lists?
//4 Things you did 10 years ago.
I’m really terrible at remembering anything, but here goes:
1. It was 1998, I was 13, and in eighth grade. So I think I was just starting marching band at this point.
2. I had the first of several stupid surgeries on my face to remove a birth mark. So in case you were wondering, yes, I am well aware I have a “scratch” on my face.
3. I got my first guitar. I learned how to play the James Bond theme song and some Duran Duran songs. The rest is history.
4. I began my first year of French classes. Little did I know that it would be followed by 3 more years in high school, and two semesters of intermediate level French. Little did I know that I would never remember another word in French once I left college.
//4 Things I did 5 years ago.
1. It was 2003, I was a sophomore at Messiah College, I was a criminal justice major (HAHA?? Wow, what was I thinking?).
2. I transferred out of Messiah to Greenville College in Illinois. I went to Greenville for about a month and then reapplied to Messiah. I only stayed one semester at Greenville. I met a lot of really awesome people! I also met a lot of creepy people. Like the guy from Guam who told me that all they eat there is Spam. Or the girl who told me that Jesus told her to help me with my homework. And then a few weeks later she had a nervous breakdown in the middle of chapel and screamed “THE DEVIL SUCKS” while rocking back in forth in the aisle. Wow, that is a bizarre story.
3. I decided I hated taking French classes. So instead I took one semester of Spanish with a woman who reminded me of Rosario from Will & Grace. She did not speak any English. I hated that class. I took French the next semester.
4. I worked as a youth director intern at my dad’s church. I spent the summer making a fool of myself in front of high school and middle school kids. It was fun!
//4 Things I did Yesterday.
1. Ate breakfast, played Horse-opoly, and talked with my good friends Marsha, MckPhipps, and Bernie.
2. Went to visit my grandparents. Showed them pictures of my trip to China. Ate at Sheetz for dinner.
3. Sat through a magnificent 3 hours of dance recital rehearsal…for the second time this week!
4. Watched a couple of flicks and stayed up til 3am with Marsha. That would be why my eyelids are so heavy right now!
//4 Shows I love to watch.
I don’t really watch TV. But when I do, here’s what’s on:
1. The Office. Steve Carrell is the funniest man ever. I LOVE when he dances. It makes me giggle.
2. Lost. Let’s be honest, it’s amazing. But it needs to end soon. Someday they have to wrap the story up. I think only two more seasons?
3. Will & Grace. AHH! I love this show. Have not seen it in quite awhile. But some of my favorite quotes are from it. “Is it just me, or are the squirrels in the park getting sneakier?” “Do you smell toast? Because I think you are having a stroke!”
4. Arrested Development. I just recently began watching this (thanks Johny!), and now I am hooked. It is hysterical!
//4 Things that make me happy.
1. The people God has placed in my life, especially recently. SO GRATEFUL.
2. Vitamin Water XXX
3. The P.S. I Love You soundtrack. It makes me want to (a) learn to play the cello, (b) move to Ireland, and (c) dance.
4. My new friends in China who send me lovely messages and emails all the time.
//4 CDs in my CD player.
CD? What’s that?
1. I’m on a Coldplay kick. I’ve always loved Coldplay, but some recent things have made me love them more. First, I saw a live acoustic version of my favorite song by them “Swallowed By the Sea.” It is so moving. Second, I saw them play live on Storytellers. Chris Martin is such a poet and romantic. His music moves me.
2. Augustana’s new album Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt. It’s awesome. You should go buy it. My favorite track so far is “I Still Ain’t Over You.”
3. The P.S. I Love You soundtrack. It’s awesome.
4. The August Rush soundtrack. I LOVE Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Check out the songs, “This Time” and “Something Inside“
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