Once Upon A Time...

A boy met a girl.

The girl:  Freshman year at PC, I was on the cool hall -- 2nd floor Belk.  Ashley Festa lived next door to me.  She was feisty, competitive, loud, loved the Lord, and was more excited about Alpha Delta Pi than anyone else I've ever met.  Ever.  (This still holds true.)  I seriously cannot come up with an anology to describe her enthusiasm.  She also loved pearls, Vera Bradley, and staying up super late (ok, that describes most sorority girls, but Festa has a way of making things "hers").  Over the years, and subsequent ones to follow, we became good friends and I'm so glad!

The boy:  Apparently Austin and I both went to PC our freshman year, but I didn't know it.  The beginning of my sophomore year, I went to Outback Steakhouse with some friends.  Austin was with us and it is the first time I remember meeting him.  Our initial conversation went something like this:

Austin: Hey, you're in my poly sci class.

Me: I don't think so.

Austin: Yes, I've seen you there.

Me: Really?  I've never seen you before.

Austin: Yeah, Dr. Raber at so and so time on so and so days.

Me: Yeah!  I'm in that class.  Interesting.

We became friends and actually ended up having lots of classes together and being study buddies. 

But back to the main characters of this story.  Festa and Austin started dating our Sophomore year.  And dated.  And broke up.  And dated.  And broke up.  And I think you get the picture.  By the time we received our diplomas, they were not dating.

However, they both made the decision to attend Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas: different programs; same grad school.  The plot thickens.  This may (or may not) come to a surprise to you, but they started dating again in Dallas!  And...then they broke up.  Then they started dating again...and then not so much.  Yeah, you smell what I'm stepping in.  Festa graduated.  A year or so later, Austin did, too.  The pattern continued.

Summer of '09 I was lucky enough to see Festa as she passed through Spartanburg.  As we were talking about boys (because sometimes girls do that), she kept describing her perfect man.  We all laughed because Austin fit the bill, but that road had been traveled too many times.

Somewhere in 2010 I heard a rumor that they were dating again.  Picking Festa up from the airport this summer, we were able to hash it out.  I have to say, it was really cool hearing how the Lord had been working in Austin and Festa.  Hearing how their relationship had changed over the years and how the Lord had really taught them how to love one another, compromise and sacrifice, and really just matured them as people and in their relationship.  She assumed they'd be engaged by the end of the year...

Sadly, I was half asleep when Courtney texted me the other night to share the good news that they were (finally) engaged.  I got it early the next morning and promptly texted the boy and the girl.  Excited for you both!  Looking forward to a trip to Dallas!

New Song I Love

I really like Amos Lee.  I haven't listened to him in a while...so I was pretty excited when I heard this song on the radio on my drive home tonight.  Makes me think of summer, driving in the car late at night with friends, laughing and attempting to solve the great mysteries of life...



Look up child 
The world is born 
Shoe's untied 
And your soles are worn 

Windows are rolled down 
Sun is setting high 
Windows are rolled down 
I'm fixin' to die 

Corn rows have companion feel 
This rocky road and this steering wheel 
Who do you call to ease your pain 
I hope for you to get through this rain 

Windows are rolled down 
Moon is hanging low 
Windows are rolled down 
Think it's time for me to go hey-ay-ay-a............-ay

Is it what you dreamed it'd be
Are you locked up in this fantasy
Oh this miles that have
torn us apart
My new found faith
and my broken heart

Windows are rolled down
Sun is rising high
Windows are rolled down
Feel that wind rushing by hey-ay-ay-a.......

Windows are rolled down

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit

I read this book, by Jack Deere, over the past few days.  I really wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book; however, I was pleasantly surprised.  Dr. Deere's writing is very personal, relatable, and easy to read.  He shares lots of stories and invited me to reconsider my own theology concerning the Holy Spirit.  I really recommend it.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Power-Spirit-Jack-Deere/dp/0310211271 

 

...the real reasons for disbelieving in the gifts of the Spirit today are not at all based on Scripture; they are based on experience [or lack there of] (56).

 

The book of Acts is the best source that we have to demonstrate what normal church life is supposed to look like when the Holy Spirit is present and wroking in the church.  Here we find a church that has passion for God, is willing to sacrifice -- even to the point of martyrdom -- and is a miracle-working church.  Why would we think that God wants the church to be something different today?  Would anyone seriously rather have the church in Calvin's day or the church in twentieth-century America as the mondel of normal church life? (114).

 

These desires were put into your heart by your heavenly Father, and he has not drawn you this far abandon you or leave you unfulfilled.  The holy frustration you feel right now is meant to drive you on.  He wants you to be thankful for what you have, but he never wants you to be content with your present level of divine intimacy (169).

 

If the essence of the Christian life becomes conformity to rules, we will always be led into self-righteousness (189).

Christmas Cheer and a Beer!

A long, long time ago I lived with Katie and Jenn.  Circa Fall of 2005 Katie and her boyfriend (now husband) Jake went to a Carolina game.  Katie picked up a case of Bud Light to take to the tailgate.  They ended up parking forever away and Jake didn't want to be seen carrying a case of beer all over Columbia.  Hahahaha!  Katie was a smidge irritated that they left the beer in the car and brought it home after the game. 

 

So we had a case of beer.  Jenn didn't drink beer.  Neither did I.  Katie did socially, but wasn't the type to hunker down with a case by her lonesome.  So the beer sat and sat in our fridge.  One day in December Katie and I tried to think of ways to get rid of the beer...and Christmas Cheer and a Beer was born!

 

Now this was not the first time Katie and I came up with interesting things to do as roommates.  Jenn ususally did not participate (I guess she thought we were weird or something?), but this time she agreed.  Yes!

 

We put on semi formal wear (I got to re-wear my ADPi Christmas party dress from freshman year!) and donned some antlers (thanks to Jenn who had those).  We baked cookies of some sort.  And we grabbed the case of beer.

 

Y'all, we went to our friends houses, chanted the Christmas Cheer and a Beer poem we wrote, and handed out cookies and a beer.  It was a hilarious and magical evening.  Cheer was delivered throughout Columbia. 

 

The holiday season has drawn near.

So we dressed up and came right here.

All to give you christmas cheer. 

This is our favorite time of year

Enjoy your treat and your beer!

 

Katie ended up marrying Jake which required a move to Greenville.  Mary moved in.  CCB 2006 involved the same antlers, but that year we wore old bridesmaid dresses.  Who would have guessed the David's Bridal gown would have been re-worn after all?!  Haha.  At this point, I'd say we were legen -- wait for it -- dary in Columbia!  2007 took a turn when we dressed up as Christmas (Jenn; complete with white lights that could be plugged in), Cheer (Mary as a cheerleader), and beer (me). 

 

I headed to Clemson for grad school in 2008 and Nicole took my spot.  Jenn, Mary, and Nicole got high tech that year with real elf costumes!  Same for 2009.  Then Jenn got married in 2010...and we decided to have a CCB reunion!  A drop in at Jenn's with all of the past roommates! 

 

Sadly, Carolina went to the SEC championship.  Mary knew that if she did, she wouldn't be able to participate.  Sad.  Nicole bailed on us at the last minute to attend the game as well.  So we were down to the original 3: Jenn, Katie, and I. 

 

We had lots of food.  Lots of beer.  Lots of wine.  Lots of fun friends.  Jenn had a framed picture from each year so you could take the CCB walk down memory lane...so fun!

 

Side note: Some things have changed.  I love beer.  Katie (and Jake) drink freely now.  Jenn will even indulge in a brewski given the right moment. 

 

I loved getting to spend time with some people that I rarely get to see.  Catching up on our current lives and laughing about old times.  I think CCB 2010 was the best one yet!

Hair Chop

So...I got a hair cut.  I'd been contemplating a cut since before Mary Alice's wedding, but didn't get in time for the wedding.  Wednesday was a bad hair day so I decided to do it on Thursday.  Yet Thursday I had a GREAT hair day so I debated whether or not I should follow through.  Well, I did and I'm so glad I did!

BEFORE:

AFTER: 

(Excuse the jippy photos.)

Oil Sticks

I'd been wanting a candle for my office.  Something that smells good and makes it a bit more homey.  I was bit reluctant though, since I work in an old house.  I mean, it was built around 1850 -- so its basically like working in a house of kindling wood.  If anyone would burn the place down, it would be me.  And then I'd have to deal with the insurance aspect of all that -- making more work for myself.  So, I put the idea out of my head. 

 

BUT the other day, during a marathon trip to Wal Mart, I purchased this:

 

$4.  Smells heavenly (Mulled Spices).  Makes my office homey and awesome.  Plus I have a new "toy" which is always fun.

Hump Day Joy

Just like last winter, and the winter before that, I am feeling seasonally depressed a bit.  The days are shorter, so I want to do less and could be in bed at 7 pm, it is hard to get out of bed in the morning, and I just miss the sunshine.

But onward and upward...despite the winter blues, some things I am thankful for today:

• Good conversations.  Jenn.  Maggie.  Shannon Innes (in Costa Rica).  Thanks to the miracle of gchat, I am able to talk to friends throughout the work day.  It really gets me through sometimes.
• I completed a crazy hard Sudoku puzzle that I've been working on for a few days.  It's the kind where 5 are connected to each other and it was a doozy!
• Grooveshark.  Free music.  All kinds.  All day long.
• Happy 29th Birthday, Jane Harper!
• I've been having some really good time in the word this week.  I read Isaiah 54 and started Isaiah 55.  Really good to be reminded that I am a broken mess, that I have a savior that loves me and just longs for me to be with him.