Poetry for a Snowy Day :)

"Forgetfulness"
By: Billy Collins
(One of my favorite modern poets)

The name of the author is the first to go
followed obediently by the title, the plot,
the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel
which suddenly becomes one you have never read,
never even heard of,

as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor
decided to retire to the southern hemisphere of the brain,
to a little fishing village where there are no phones.

Long ago you kissed the names of the nine Muses goodbye
and watched the quadratic equation pack its bag,
and even now as you memorize the order of the planets,

something else is slipping away, a state flower perhaps,
the address of an uncle, the capital of Paraguay.

Whatever it is you are struggling to remember
it is not poised on the tip of your tongue,
not even lurking in some obscure corner of your spleen.

It has floated away down a dark mythological river
whose name begins with an L as far as you can recall,
well on your own way to oblivion where you will join those
who have even forgotten how to swim and how to ride a bicycle.

No wonder you rise in the middle of the night
to look up the date of a famous battle in a book on war.
No wonder the moon in the window seems to have drifted
out of a love poem that you used to know by heart.

"Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me"

The title of my blog post is my prayer for the next several weeks. With school, ministry, various responsibilities, work, etc. life can be a little hectic. I don't mean to complain. In fact, I'm a very blessed individual: I am receiving a wonderful education. I have a job. I am blessed with Godly friends. I have a fabulous family (who I love and miss). I am blessed with a wonderful church. The list goes on. Anyway....

Yesterday, I got back from church (which is approximately 40-45 minutes away) and I felt so burdened down from the cares of life. Not only did my body feel it, but my heart felt it, as well. Weekends are generally my time to relax and sleep (a lot), but I haven't really had one of those this school year. So, as a result of my weariness, I immediately went to bed and for some reason I couldn't sleep. I was kept awake thinking about my day, about everything that the next day holds, about things that bother me, about things that don't bother me, about life. Generally, when I'm like this, I'll chat with RaeLyn (until she gets tired of my rambling) and get it out my system. Unfortunately for me, RaeLyn was asleep and I decided to "chat" with God instead. He was probably the first person I should have "chatted" with, anyways. Not only did He bring peace to my troubled heart, but He gently (as He always does) chided me for not coming to Him with all of my various worries/troubles/frustrations in the first place. I am SO comforted and amazed at how God desires that we take every single thing (no matter how petty or how big) to Him to take care of.

Now, I understand that this post hasn't been all that deeply theological or profound. But, I don't care. I am resting in God's guidance and I'm so glad that He governs my life. I have found happiness, contentment, peace, purpose, and rest in Him. I wish that everyone could know my Heavenly Father as I do. It is my prayer that each member of my family, each friend, and every acquaintance will come to know Him as their personal Savior and Lord. Oh, what a difference it makes in day-to-day living!

"Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life's tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me."
-Edward Hopper/John Gould

"In the Middle of the Crazy..."

(Ralph, Diane, and I watching the fireworks... Yes, poured...)

(Diane and I hanging out on the Serpentine Stairs during the Labor Day fireworks)

Wow. It feels like I haven't posted in forever. As my title suggests, I feel that I am smack-dab in the middle of the crazy. With another school year under way, among other things, life seems to be hitting me square in the face. Although, I have to admit that I am loving a routine and a steady, consistent schedule. Summer had a way of shaking things up and making me feel like I was living in a scramble of a sort.

Speaking of the seasons, I am SO excited to announce that autumn has embraced our campus with arms extended! I have been looking forward to this season for quite some time and have even made some pretty wild conclusions about how autumn will relate to my relational life. Such as: I just KNOW I will fall in love in the Fall, I want to get married in the Fall, and Fall just seems to be the perfect time to.... relate. Haha! RaeLyn calls me crazy, but I really feel that Autumn is a magical time.... Take it or leave it.

With that being said, school is going great. I have been enjoying my classes and am feeling that this year will be a good one. :) I hope, anyways. My good friend, Cheryl, is one of my teachers... so, that is a new experience for me. But, she is a wonderful teacher and I have enjoyed her tutelage. A new year also brings new friends and I'm thankful for those with whom I've already bonded with. It's great to know that I will always have someone to rely on in rough (and even pleasant) times. God is good.

This past weekend was Labor Day and in Cincy, that means a festivities galore. Personally, I was privileged to hang out with some good friends. Diane's brother, Ralph, decided to visit Cincinnati for the long weekend and it was a hanging out with the two of them. We visited Findlay market, perused various ethnic restaurants, hung out at the mall, and watched the famous Labor Day fireworks at Riverfront. Needless to say, it was a very enjoyable weekend and it was a fabulous break from schoolwork. :)

When I think of what has transpired over the past few weeks, I have once again been struck by the realization that I am a very blessed individual. I have been given so much. May I always remember to thank the One that has bestowed such bountiful measures upon me.

Something to Think About

I saw this quote on a friend's blog...

"The greatest enemy of the best is not the worst – but the good." - Anon.

Something to consider, eh?

Summer's Farewell

Summer. The name seems to fit the season. Two syllables. Brief. Summer for me means a lot of things. As a child who was reared in a Holiness home, it means youth camp. As a college student, it means working long hours. As a socialite, it means missing those who have gone to various places called home. But, right now, it means peacefulness. Summer is my favorite season. I love sunshine. I love warmer temperatures and gardens. I love going barefoot, staying up late for no reason, and grilling out. I'll never forget my summers as a child. We lived in Joliet, IL and my daddy would stay outside with us as we snatched up each available minute given to us before bedtime. Then, if we listened carefully, we could hear the cicadas and birds settle their selves for the evening. The cool night air caressed my skin. The stars would begin to pop out across the panel of sky and the neighbors would shut their garages and corral their tykes inside. Sometimes (if we were lucky), my knowledgeable daddy would point out the various constellations and we would spend precious moments gazing into the night sky. Ahhh... How I loved those times.

These evenings remind me of our summer camping trips as a child. We've been to several different states and camping always seemed to be a natural part of our vacations. Mom would tell us stories around the campfire and keep us in line. Daddy would pitch the tent(s) and "boyscout" the week out. We've had s'mores, fire-baked apples, eggs, bacon, and a bunch of other typical camping foods. Ahh... Sadly, I feel that those days are behind us... but they sure are happy memories!

Well, enough of my ramblings. Summer 2011 is almost over for me. How I will miss it.

Radical by David Platt

On This Tuesday Evening....

On this Tuesday evening, I am pondering today and the events that it held. Let me fill you in.

• Well, I started a new job. A babysitting job. Needless to say, I'm so thankful that my parents raised me to think of others before myself and to always put God first. Ha.
• Eating applesauce for breakfast and nothing else until 7:00 P.M. is always a bad idea.
• I love friends who so sweetly share their pizza (Ahem... Tiffany Barr!) WITH feta cheese. Love 'em. I do, I do.
• Landscapers are creepy. Period.
• I am a firm believer in air conditioning. (Everywhere I go... There is warm, humid air!)
  
• Tiff has someone coming to look at her hamsters tonight! It's oddly exciting.
• I dread dramatic changes that may or may not change my near future. They make my palms sweaty.
• I have a big tan. It's nice.

That's it. Today has been weird.