Throwback Thursday: March 2012 Edition

This is why I could never blog full time. I just don't get around to it if other areas of life take precedence. My readers would abandon me for sure! However, I do get around to it eventually, so here is the next installment of Throwback Thursdays, two Thursdays late. March 2012 was a good month. Imperfect. Funny. Challenging. Productive. Stretching. Encouraging.

Friday, March 2, 2012

"I read Genesis 3-4 today. I had forgotten that Adam and Eve had another son besides Cain and Abel, Seth. After he entered the picture and started his family, scripture says, “Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 4:26) Seth and Enosh (his son) literally went down in history as the first men to actively pursue God! What a place."

Friday, March 9, 2012

"I suppose I hate sin. Bah. I can't fix the world!! My mind knows the truth: that I know the One who can and is fixing the world (well, saving a people out of a sinful world). But my heart doesn't always grasp this life-altering concept. What comes with it? Peace. And my heart stills."

Thursday, March 15, 2012
[speaking about my church choir] "I just love that group, and I love how Mr. Kenny is leading us. He is creating more than a singing group - he is creating a close-nit family of believers who can share needs and praises that happen to sing together, too. I love it. I think we all need it."
(still feel this way)

Saturday, March 17, 2012
"I read through one of my old calendars today and discovered that Sunday, March 18, 2007 was our first visit at Grace Bible. Tomorrow is Sunday, March 18, 2012. Exactly five years. I can't believe it. I may or may not cry tomorrow at church, just realizing how I've grown over that time, all the people I've come to know and genuinely love, and how God has changed my heart. Faithful."

Sunday, March 18, 2012

"For the first time ever, I feel fully connected to my church and community. I walk around church as if I'm home, completely comfortable. I love it. Not only have I never been used to local life and the majority of my life taking place in one town, I've also never been accustomed to ongoing conversation with people I see every few days. It's so subtle, yet makes a massive difference in my life. I'm more used to doing broad, overall life catch ups with people from across the country or family I don't see often. Now when I see people around town or at church we just pick up where we left off, like we never went our separate ways."
(This concept still thrills my soul. A year later, I'm still basking in the rich, wonderful local life God has given me at this time in my life.)

Monday, March 19, 2012

"Laura and I made our tiny dinner and it was absolutely hilarious. Everything from a tiny grater, boiler, and wooden spoon, to baking dish, whisk, and ice cream maker! We had fun."
(One year anniversary of Tiny Things!)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

"Bad morning, awesome afternoon and evening. I was stressed this morning for a number of stupid reasons, and then almost cried in choir because they're so understanding and I'm so stupid. I love them. So much."
(HAHAHA. I remember that morning. It was just as bad as I make it sound. And my choir was just like I said they were.)

[speaking about October Baby] "I've never cried that hard in a movie (besides maybe Flipper, but that's another story)."

Monday, March 26, 2012

"While at U of M I actually had a frustrating conversation with my test administrator while Austin was finishing his test. I can tell that she is convinced that I have missed out on a vital phase of life - the college phase - and feels genuinely sorry for me. It's SO frustrating because there is no way for me to convey my life to her. She has no idea all that I've experienced. She can't see me leading hundreds of young people at TeenPact National Convention, or me strolling around Paris, or sleeping in a car with three others guys outside Melbourne, Australia. One specific experience that she mentioned was "eating ramen noodles every day!" I didn't think of it at the time, but now my thought is, "what about cooking ramen noodles in the middle of the night over an open fire in the Australian outback with foreigners you've met only once before in your life??" But then I realize that the reason that it bothers me so much is because I care too much about what people think. Of course she can't understand my life - it's pretty radically different in a few ways. It's okay."
(Yeahh, remember that. You can ask Austin (who was there taking a CLEP test as well) to verify that I ranted about it all the way back to the car, heh. I still struggle with whether people understand me or judge the way I have lived my life, but I still wouldn't change anything. It also helps me remember that you just don't know everything about a person - the reasons they've made decisions and chosen various paths - and that it's only a waste of time to judge them. I'd much rather be encouraging and loving.)

a few March 2012 photos...

Karah, Katheryne and Laura at the March Movie Night; out at good ol' Dan's

I was studying World Religions.

and I got to see one of my favorites for an afternoon, my TeenPact Intern Sister Bryn Goode

It was the perfect catch up.

Throwback Thursday: February 2012 Edition

Throwback Thursday a week late! (Read HERE about the purpose behind Throwback Thursdays.) February 2012 entries were full of tedious details (mostly about my church's formal Valentine's dinner for which I trained the youth as servers) and long monologues about various topics, so I don't have as many snippets this month. Still, some fun memories and thoughts. :)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

"Then I came home, ate lunch, studied at the library, and then went to the Strouds to get ready for Sara Jane's Tangled-themed 4th birthday party this Saturday! Guess who's special guest Rapunzel? Yep. They bought a wig and everything."
(Yesss. I played Rapunzel.)

Saturday, February 4, 2012

"Tangled party was a hoot. Slightly awkward during some parts (what are you supposed to do when 7 little girls and their parents are staring at you after you've finished reading your story and have nothing else to say?), but mostly a blast. Morgan Elizabeth did my makeup and flowers in my hair, which she loved. Sara Jane just had a fit over everything about me and declared that "I will always have a Tangled party so you can come and wear your Tangled dress!'"
(That was a fun experience. One of the little girls in attendance whom I had babysat before had been told that "Anna Kate was coming." About halfway through the party, after I'd made my appearance and was interacting with the girls, she asked her mom, "When is Anna Kate coming?")

Thursday, February 9, 2012

"And as my fingers type, the worries of my soul ease, and the cares of my spirit rest in His sovereign grace. I refuse to quote the saying, "God wants me to be happy." Because more than ever I am convinced that He is in the business of making His saints holy, not happy. Happiness? Maybe. Holiness? That's the aim. And therein lies true joy. That my heart could grasp that better."

Friday, February 10, 2012

"Honestly, sometimes I want to give up this journal thing altogether. Even a day later, I see my immaturity. Or maybe haste is a better word. I always try to figure out the world, instead of seeking after God. It's a meaningless endeavor. I need so much grace. Thankfully He showers me with it. :)"

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

"I still don't have all the answers. But that's the problem in the first place - wasting energy on trying to find those answers. He is the answer. I run after his heart. Not silly answers to silly questions. Only He can satisfy. Funny how the greatest Mystery is also the greatest Satisfier."
(Why do I still do this?? I'll never know, but He IS still the Satisfier.)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

"I just love my people. That's all there is to it."
(I had spent the evening with church family. 'Nuff said.)

Saturday, February 25, 2012

"My job is to serve the Lord and pursue holiness. What a beautifully simple job description. Now, simple and easy are not synonymous, but there is good news (I mean REALLY good news): He gives strength to the weary, and uses the weak to shame the wise. Praise God."

a few February 2012 photos...

that time The Drop Bears played the Grace Bible Church Valentine's Banquet the first time.

my other role that night: Head Server

Throwback Thursday: January 2012 Edition

Let me tell you about one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Three days into the year 2012, I said to myself, "I should journal every day this year."

And that's what I did.

I have NEVER been successful at keeping a journal. It was always because I tried to be too poetic, failed, and then gave up. Or I would throw away an entry that I found too immature, or imperfect. I wanted it to be just right. But somewhere between then and the beginning of last year, I decided not to care. I decided once and for all that poetry and perfection were useless. Instead, God's persistent grace would become the theme.

Now, looking back on 2012, the decision to write about the mundane everyday aspects of my life was truly one of the best decisions I've ever made. Because I wrote every day, I remember more about 2012 than any other year. Not only because I can go back and read about it, but because the act of writing it out solidified details and correlations in my head. It's been hilarious, insightful and downright humbling. I can remember a few days when I almost gave up; I was sick of realizing over and over again how unsteady my thoughts and emotions were. "When will I grow up and keep my head on straight?!" I do not exaggerate.

Perhaps someday I will be more steady. But it's not about me and my progress. It's about His name being made famous through fallible human beings. Well I'm one of them, and I refuse to let my measly little woes stop me from pursuing authenticity, righteousness... holiness.

So, this is Throwback Thursday. Every last Thursday of the month I will post excerpts from my journal of the current month a year ago. The snippets may contain funny moments, spiritual insights or mundane everyday facts that just remind me of my life, and where I am now compared to then.

(Just between you and me... I am really excited about this. :) Let the reminiscing begin!)

Throwback Thursday: January 2012 Edition

Sunday, January 1, 2012
"This morning, Laura and I woke up to find out that ALL the boys had stayed the night as well! Mark’s floor was covered with sleeping boys."

(Some leftover guys from our New Year's party slept over. His floor really was covered!)

Saturday, January 7, 2012
"Most interesting part of the day, however? Jobie somehow got their car stuck over cross ties next to the driveway, leading into a steep ditch. We (as in, guys AND girls) then proceeded to push the car back far enough that the middle of the car was literally resting on the cross tie with the back wheels up in the air. Combining guys pushing the front with a little reverse action, amazingly, we got the car back on the driveway without any major injuries, car or persons. Memories. :)"
(Ah yes, the first ever Movie Night. Priceless.)

Thursday, January 12, 2012
"I am realizing more and more how unreliable emotions are. Tuesday seemed to be awful, yesterday was phenomenal, and today was just meh. Yet every single day I am certain of God’s grace despite my feelings. Sometimes I wish I didn’t feel, but I know that the Lord’s will is not that I stop feeling, but that I bring every thought and feeling before His throne. Oh, that I could do better with that."

Sunday, January 15, 2012

"I shared my lunch of chicken salad with Macy at church, which I enjoyed. Then tonight she and I had girl time at my house and watched a movie. Have I mentioned that I totally love her?"

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

"Mornings. God was so gracious to provide mornings; new days. Even though He would (and does) forgive us in the middle of the night - rain, sunshine, tidal wave, hurricane - He knew that we as humans would treasure dawn, dazzling morning sunshine, as a physical resemblance of fresh mercy. The sun bathes us in new light, pure light. Morning shouts: 'You are forgiven! Washed in grace.'"

Friday, January 20, 2012
"Well, the big news today is that Mrs. Christine Eldridge is EXPECTING A BABY. When Austin told me over the phone I thought I was dying; a total out-of-body experience."
(I won't easily forget that conversation.)

Sunday, January 22, 2012
"When I got home we just chilled out for a while, ate salad for dinner, and then I talked on the phone with Sara for two hours. Pretty much, I love her more than words can describe."

Thursday, January 26, 2012
"We bought little baby cowboy boots at Cracker Barrel today for Baby Eldridge. Before I left for ensemble tonight we ran them over to the Eldridge’s and talked for a while. It was SO fun. They loved the boots. :)"

(I called her Baby Eldridge because we didn't know she was a girl yet!)

Sunday, January 29, 2012
"Exceedingly blessed. Lord, come. In two senses: one, to make my heart Your home, and two, to literally come back for Your bride. I can’t wait."

Tuesday, January, 31, 2012
"With each passing day I am persuaded more and more that I find more joy in doing that which I ought than in doing that which I want. That I could remember that in those small, significant moments when I am forced to choose!"