::: Donald Miller :::

Donald Miller just came out with a new book, What I Learned While Editing my Life : A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Scott read it in less than 2 days and asked that I read it next. He says I will love it. Page 6 and I've already taken away an interesting thought/idea.

"You got a feeling when you look back on life that that's all God really wants from us, to live inside a body he made and enjoy the story and bond with us through the experience."

I really like the way he says this. It's so simple...and to me, is so true. I appreciate the simplicity of this because life is so full of complexity and questions and misunderstandings; but this sentence makes life seem so simple. "bad" things can and have happened to me, but it is all apart of my story. He knows my entire story, beginning to end, and there is good and bad. But what good story doesn't have both?

When looking at my life as a "story" I know that there are more chapters to come, and that it is important to look at all of the chapters as a whole, instead of focusing on one that might not be so pleasant. I am most definitely bonding with him through my experiences. I am thankful.

the towering separation

I'm in this strange, uncharted place, where I feel like I am sitting in a chair, watching the world go fast by me. I wouldn't say I feel lost, as I'm confident of the path I've taken to understand what lights me on fire in work, with whom I want to share and do life with, and knowing through experience what life is not about. I don't want to say I know what life is about in entirety, because I think that unfolds as the journey continues.

I wouldn't say my life has slowed down in terms of the nature of my job or the hours of school I'm taking [in which they have increased], but I guess the rhythm of my life is steady and narrow. I can't stray from the path. My flesh fights this. I want to plan, like I previously posted, take control, or deviate from the path I've chosen. I love change, adventure. So in this narrow path, I'm trying to be intentional on deepening my understanding of neglected thoughts/emotions/compartments of my life.

The sermon last night was on merging the towering separation of spirit filled thoughts and life's thoughts. Surprisingly, I had embarked on this thought process this past month or so, how we must, to experience the fullness of Christ, give him all of ourselves [thoughts, desires, emotions, activities, chores]. I still do not know how to fully do this.

Woods and I walked around White Rock on Saturday and a conversation of how clear joy is compared to happiness came up. As of late, I've witnessed her surrender her life to a place of joy. Clearly, for both she and Lindsay, life is not as they would choose, with such hardships, being only 25. They are explicit examples of how His joy disables fear, despair, and grief.

Anyways, all that to say, E.E. writes "Let us remember, however, that the Shepherd Himself sometimes makes us lie down. Some of the "delays" are His own choice for us, so we must not always chide ourselves when the pace is not what we thought it should be. We must learn to move according to the timetable of the Timeless One, and be at peace".

I can't even say I'm lying down. I'm just where I've always wanted to be. Obviously, I'm feeling deep conviction or contemplative thoughts upon the control God has over our lives, but I see His workings in those around me [and myself, of course]. I see the unexpected turns, the tumultuous times, that provide deep, abiding relationships [if chosen], and it makes me so very, very grateful.

::: bhg :::

better homes and gardens. i used to think this magazine was useless, but now i have a subscription. here are some great sites in this month's issue that i thought i'd share...

Pies

100 Holiday Tips

enjoy!

Anita

We sent our landlord our 60 day notice for move out.

Can you believe it?

The Anita days are coming to an end.

:: to a quiet mind ::

Most of my friends can attest to my ways of planning. Jason Meyer and I used to sit on the floor hallways between classes at A&M, dreaming big of our futures. Our jobs. Our relationships. Our cities we'd live in. What a sweet time. Now he's studying law ... with a big heart, to do good for the world. I don't think him going to law school ever came up in our conversations. My, how we cannot attest to know our paths.

I do like dreaming, planning, and of wanting more.

Elisabeth Elliot quotes "What may be tomorrow's cross I never seek to find. My father says, Leave that to Me, and keep a quiet mind" ....

To the balance - of a quiet mind & a heart that seeks more!

a blog post about two things that do not relate to each other at all.

The first is this image. I LOVE the bright color contrast of the sofa against the wall. Two great colors. The excitement I feel for the new job opportunities that the Lord is presenting matches the excitement I feel for this image!

Image found here

::: colorado :::

Scott and i are in Colorado for about 6 days. We just hiked a small 4 mile trail through the hills of Bergen Peak. It was so much fun! Its great to be able to exercise outside in the beautiful scenery, instead of inside on a elliptical. :) I am thankful. As we were walking, I was thankful for my health, my legs that are in fabulous shape (muuahaha), and the time in the mountains.

The Schardts are hanging with ...

..the Haks in Colorado.

My people are together, in the mountains.

Co-Managing

Michael Scott: Mmm--well to be fair, Jim... James. Jimothy? [Jim nods] To be fair, Jimothy-- ah that sounds weird. Are you ok with being called Jim?
Jim Halpert: I am.
Michael Scott: Alright. Jim, to be fair, the conversation wasn't about planets.

this make me laugh, big time.