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!"

Confessional Friday

Derice: "Sanka man, you dead yet?"
Sanka: "No mon, I'm not dead yet."

[Cool Runnings]

It's been a long time... but not long enough to call it quits. :) Look out next week for a new monthly blog series I'm starting called Throwback Thursday. My hope is that it will be fun, fresh and encouraging as I reminisce and realize the continuity of time, the significance of every day life, and God's grace and sense of humor in the orchestration of our lives.

Until then, however, welcome back to Confessional Friday!

• My new favorite snack is cucumber slices & cream cheese. No surprise that I snagged the idea here!
• This semester is all about my last major college course. (Not finished after this, just only a few tests to go after). It's called Liberal Arts Capstone and it's one giant research project. My topic is cultural adaptation from a missionary perspective. I feel way in over my head but I press on. Somehow, I will have a coherent finished product.
• I have a strange habit of calling "oranges" by the name of "onions." If you hear me do this, just ignore it.
• I won an antique bracelet from Relinked Relics in Tori's blog give-away. I never win things!
• For Christmas we made a quick trip down south to see family but spent Christmas Eve and Day at home (but not without a brunch date with our favorites the Eldridges). We watched White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, and The Nativity Story. And ate snacks from those Christmas packages of chocolate, pecans, fruit and cheese and who-knows-what-else.
• Have I mentioned that I love farm fresh milk? It's like dessert to me.
• I check the "In the news" section on Wikipedia every day for updates on worldwide happenings! I've been amazed how informed I've become simply by skimming those snippets.
• Over New Year's Mark and I flew out to Colorado to spend time with our old friend, adopted brother and favorite person Ben Comden. We got up to all kinds of shenanigans while there and maybe I'll do a recap at some point. Two major highlights were getting to know two amazing and totally unrelated people, the Abby Carruth and the Dora Robel, and miraculously getting together all five Americans from the Summer Down Under. Priceless.
• This video made my day.
• I started the Perspectives class this week! If you haven't heard of it, check it out. I've wanted to take it for several years but the opportunity hasn't presented itself until now.

Christmas

family photo shoot at the capitol

Christmas Day

New Year's

he's a weird one.

this begs for an old picture comparison.
they didn't used to look like homeless people, I swear!

because.

northface.

Confessional Friday

Well, it's the end of the "semester" for me!  I'm positively shivering with excitement about the holiday season and seeing family and generally being cozy.  (The fam just finished watching an Andy Griffith 'round the fire.)  Every time I finish these "confessions" I am more convinced that they are anything but.  What do you reckon?

• I attempted to make my own yogurt and. it. worked.  It's sad that I get that excited when an old-fashioned/raw/natural recipe works, right?  It is delicious.  I only have access to low-pasteurized non-homogenized milk currently, but it still turned out beautifully.  I added raw honey and a few golden raisins.  Perfection.
• Today marks the END of my Thomas Edison Worlds of Childhood and Psychology of Personality online courses!  Took both finals today and I'm officially done.  So thankful.  It's been more than an academic journey: it's been a spiritual one.  God was unbelievably faithful.
• My new favorite way to cook sweet potatoes.  (It helps when you've got fresh, straight-from-the-farm potatoes.  Thanks, Murphrees!)
• This week we decided to fly to Colorado for New Year's instead of drive, and we bought our tickets Tuesday. December 26th-January 2nd.  Can't believe it.  :)
• The X Factor UK is rigged.  Okay, melodramatic, but I've been loosely following this season through YouTube for fun, and they eliminated the better boy band District 3 over the lesser Union J.  Forget what I ever said about moving to the United Kingdom ever.
• This.  <3
• Thanksgiving is next week and I am pumped!  I'm giving myself a week off for the holiday and to transition into studying for individual tests again (Excelsiors this time).  Can't wait to see family and enter the holiday season.
• Last week Mark and I saw Wreck-It Ralph with Austin and Audrey. It was a jolly good time and the movie was pretty grand.  I do think I missed several references because I wasn't quite old enough (the now 30-somethings video game generation), but it didn't matter.  It was well made, I laughed a ton, and even teared up.  And Owl City closed out the movie.  End of discussion.
• Later, I made both sweet salad dressing and chicken salad with my homemade yogurt.  Both were fabulous!
• This weekend I'm headed to the delta with my mom to visit family and attend my second cousin's wedding!  Something about picking some garden fresh turnip greens, too?  Love.
• If you couldn't tell, I'm really into this blog right now.  Let me tell you, she has inspired me like no one has before to start living and eating well.  She's the cousin of some friends, so there's a bit of personal connection, which makes it nice.  She responds to questions directly and swiftly.  Yep, she's a winner.

back in the day when we lived in Colorado (since it really was not a dream <3)

awkward stages fo sho

I miss the leaves.

Christmas cookie baking, circa 2004

let me tell you, this is old school. we look kind of different now.
[i can't bloody wait to see him.]

Confessional Friday

Afternoon! Over a month since I last updated, but it's all right. Much has been going on and real life is a bit more important than internet life. Since last post, I have been to the fair with Austin and Audrey (it's tradition), performed a musical with the children of my church, had midterms, started back my K-2 class on Wednesday nights, been to Arkansas for another wedding (THE James and Sharon Rutherford), and attended a missions conference that may or may not have changed my post-college course of action (either way, it definitely changed my perspective on missions, or The Mission, as I should say)...

• I turned 24 years old a couple of days ago. It's funny to think about where you thought you'd be at what age. I can't really remember... pretty sure though I didn't think I'd be where I am. While I am anticipating the next phase, there is no question that I love and am grateful for the here and now. Slow, peaceful, preparatory, normal... which in my case means abnormal. :)
• My philosophy is: if in doubt, use a comma.
• My church choir has begun practicing for our annual Christmas Cantata (December 16th for those who want to come). This simply means that I am WAY TOO EXCITED FOR MY OWN GOOD.
• I've made this a few times. It's dessert in itself.
• Midterms for my 2 psychology classes were a few weeks ago. They went well and now finals are approaching! Can't believe they're almost over. Looking forward to starting my next subject and being finished with college so, so soon.
• Remember last time I said I was into the British Isles part of the globe? Well now it's southeast Asia (Philppines, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc).
• Several weeks ago when Mark and I went to Georgia for our friends' wedding, we stopped in at an Australian bakery in Marietta, which happened to be 5 minutes from the wedding venue! Below are pictures from our delicious late afternoon lunch.
• We are officially going to Colorado for New Year's. This trip will include but is not limited to seeing real snow, eating way too many Pueblo green chilis to make up for the severe lack of them in my life, going clubbing, visiting our old church, seeing favorite people, and basking in the vast blue sky of my favorite place on earth.
• This past weekend my church hosted a missions conference with To Every Tribe. They train and send out missionaries. This conference was so providential in my life. I don't know what's in store, but I am praying about potentially going through their program with the intention of entering the mission field. Scared and excited. :)
• Amazingly, yet another hairstyle idea worked for me, the sock bun! Pictures below.

photographs that are actually recent and somewhat relevant!

Australian Bakery

the classic Shepherd's pie and a Cornish pasty; it had been toooo long :)

mini pavlova; it was all right - Ellen's homemade was better!

inside the shop; flags of the various states

obviously.

they also sold a variety of Australian foods and ingredients you can't get in the states, including Violet Crumble <3

The Sock Bun

the sock bun, with a couple of added braids

from the back; it looks super fancy for only having taken about 8 minutes

I just adore it.

the other cool thing? your hair looks like this afterwards (okay well for stubbornly flat and straight hair people it's amazing - so much body and a few curls)

the crimped sections were the braids :)

Confessional Friday

Just finished class assignments for the week and now getting ready to leave town, so I'll just get to it! Happy weekend. :)

• A couple of weeks ago my entire family and I watched Die Hard. At 10 o'clock on a Monday morning, with the morning light streaming in. I just find that funny.
• I recently discovered this and I especially love listening to it while studying and writing.
• Just discovered the fabulous Ed Sheeran. He's a phenomenal, very British, very ginger singer/songwriter.
• The closer I get to finishing school, the more skipping country and starting somewhere else seems like a grand idea. It's a bit terrifying and exhilarating to think that I could go literally anywhere.
• I've always adored maps. There is always a specific section of the world map that I am particularly interested in. It was eastern Europe, but recently shifted to the British isles.
• Tomorrow Mark and I are headed to Georgia for the wedding of our dear friends Caleb and Rebekah. They were on our TeenPact intern team a few years ago, and it's been so wonderful to see God orchestrate and bless their relationship.
• I collect movie tickets. Except a few here and there, I still have every ticket from every movie I've ever seen.
• Emma Watson and Louis Tomlinson are my fashion icons of sorts.
• I've always thought wedges were cute but I never thought I could pull them off. However, last week I found a red pair, loved them and thought I'd give them a whirl. (Actually, Payless had yellow and red, and I had to text Olivia and Macy to help me decide which pair to choose.)
• One of the librarians told me that they were going to write my name on the table that I always use near the children's section. I am simply always there. :)

the aforementioned wedges (+ new navy & white striped tee. locals! prepare to see this shirt. a lot.)

Confessional Friday

Hey folks. This week was interesting because for the first time ever I "started classes" the same week that most of my friends started school as well. Granted, I only have two classes and they're online, but it's still much more structured than usual for me. I think it'll be good. :)

• There is a tiny French bakery called the Boulangerie Olivier in the basement of an office building on our town square, 'bout five minutes from my house. They bake white chocolate bread.
• I am on the fence when it comes to Owl City's latest album, The Midsummer Station. Still a massive fan, but I can't deny that I am a bit wary of the direction he appears to be going.
• This was pretty accurate and hilarious: 50 State Stereotypes
• I am obsessed with navy & white stripes. In everything, but particularly shirts and sweaters.
• When I am quoting someone, I have to speak (read: try to speak) with their accent, however subtle it is. If I don't I feel like I'm lying.
• Thursday I passed my last CLEP test ever. Now I'm taking two psychology courses, and after that I've just got a few more online credits to get, a couple of other tests, and I'm finished with college. Still a lot to do, but it is the home stretch.
• When I'm ravenously hungry and decide suddenly to do something about it, I just end up taking out tons of random completely unrelated food from the pantry and refrigerator because it all sounds good. I don't even eat all of it, I just get it out.
• There is a vase of flowers that always sits in the middle of our kitchen table. When this vase of flowers is not sitting on the table, my whole world is off balance. It feels like something has gone terribly wrong. The height that it adds to the general area is pleasing to the eye and something that I am used to. I can't handle its absence.
• I am just now getting into Michael Bublé's latest album, Crazy Love, like some kind of cray cray (my favorites are Cry Me A River (epic; what a stud), Georgia On My Mind (meeellllttt), Baby (You've Got What It Takes) (makes me go nuts dancing).

Aaaand now! For more thoroughly unrelated photos of my past!

favorite boys, circa 2009

so much cheese

bein' all g in Fort Collins

always been one of my favorites :) The Daily Grind in Pueblo
[we never knew two years later we'd be in Australia. together.]

graduation pictures at Summit; they make me laugh

Confessional Friday

Oi! It's been a couple of months. I'd love to do a full summer recap, but for now I'll just stick with the usual Friday tradition, and maybe do a recap later. Summer is winding down, my favorite season is approaching, and a good dose of structure and normality is around the corner. Praise God for... well, being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

• I'm that person who carries ALL the grocery bags in at the same time just to avoid multiple trips, no matter how inconvenient or heavy the load is.
• I tried this over the 4th of July and it worked. You've got to realize how shocking that is to me. Hair ideas never work for me, especially when it involves creating curls. It was magic.
• I just finished reading through/studying Genesis (finally) and it was a huge blessing. Over the past few years I've really come to the understanding that the Bible is simply God's story of the world. How He sovereignly orchestrated the line of Christ, showed His mercy and justice throughout, all in the lives of real human beings. I'm thankful for that perspective.
• I am a left lane driver. Olivia knows what I mean.
• In one week I will be starting my first two online courses of my college career. One is on developmental psychology (my favorite branch), and the other is on personality (which I of course adore). I'm excited but nervous for various reasons, mainly because this will be the first time for me to have deadlines on schoolwork in years. I'm used to doing my own thing. However, I am also looking forward to that aspect for just that reason: structure. I think it'll be comforting, in a way.
• I have begun riding my bicycle while listening to my iPod every morning. It's a lovely way to start the day.
• In July one of my favorite people ever, Tyler Avery, who happens to be from Australia came for a visit, which ended up being a highlight of the summer and created memories I will never forget. Tomorrow, yet another Aussie friend, Chanelle, will be popping in as well! I wish they'd keep this up all year round.
• I am in love with avocados and am slightly annoyed that they seem to be a fad currently. I liked them before they started showing up in every food related commercial!
• Mark said we should plan to go to the Olympics in Rio in 2016. I agreed, but also mentioned that I may already be there. For some reason I have a fascination with Rio and a strong desire to go there, possibly serve in some capacity. We'll see what God does with that! :)
• (prepare yourself for an actual "confession") My weakness has simply always been singing boys, from the Backstreet Boys (when I was 8) to David Archuleta (when I was............ not 8). If the direction this confession is going isn't obvious, and that hint still didn't give it away for you, let me spell it out: ONE DIRECTION. Cliché? Oh yes. Too old for this? Probably. Does that change anything? Nope. I'll always be such a girl.