a taste of heaven.

These are two pictures from my fall break this past weekend... I'm pretty sure the second one has to be the best of the entire trip. Yes, that's my dad -- and I'm proud of him. (love me, dad)

My fall break this semester was awesome -- maybe one of my favorites. It was quite the "homecoming" (note: I did not wear a fabulous gown, nor did I receive a crown) considering I hadn't seen my parents or friends in two months. That's definitely the longest I've ever been away from home... My brother Jason and his wife, Meghan, joined us for the weekend. Thursday night I met up with some friends for supper and that was fun. It was so good to see them and spend time with them! I didn't realize how much I had really missed them. I love being in good company.

Friday my family and I visited a pumpkin patch -- something I never had the pleasure of doing as a native Floridian. It was quite enjoyable. (minus the rainy weather) Friday night we enjoyed some delectable homemade brunswick stew made by none other than my dad. For dessert and entertainment: homemade brownies, a delightful game of Outburst from 1983, and Baby Mama. It was quite a night.

Saturday we just kind of "hung out" and then had supper at my Nana's house. A good time was had by all... Sunday was bittersweet. I went to church and had to say goodbye to friends, never a fun thing to do. Thank goodness I only have a month away until I'm home again for Thanksgiving! It can't get here soon enough. We made our trek back home and enjoyed the most amazing lunch ever. My mom is the best cook ever, hands down. Someday I hope to be that good :) I packed my car, hugged my parents goodbye, and started my drive back home. I cried. True story. I hate leaving home -- I never feel happy, you know? Of course, my mom called to tell me that she cried and in for some bizarre reason it made me feel good -- I'm missed. They really, truly miss me. It always feels nice to know that someone, somewhere misses you. Someday, just someday.

Cheers.

line 'em up.

Line 'Em Up
James Taylor

I remember Richard Nixon back in '74
And the final scene at the White House door
And the staff lined up to say good-bye
Tiny tear in his shifty little eye
He said nobody knows me
Nobody understands
These little people were good to me
Oh I'm gonna shake some hands

CHORUS:
Somebody line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up
Line 'em up
Line 'em all up

At that time my heart was all broke
I looked like ashes and smelled like smoke
And I turned away from my loving kind
Try to leave my body and live in my mind
But it's much too much emotion
To hold it in your hand
They've got waves out on the ocean
They're gonna wear away the land


Oh I've seen corn in Kansas
And I've seen picket fences
And certain cowboy dances
I've gone lining up for shows
I've been safely placed in rows
Sure I know how it goes


Another day goes by
Little time machine
I'm breaking my brain
Over what it might mean
Just to claim the time
And to turn away
To make today today


Who waits for you
Lonely tired old toad
It's your life laid out before you
Like the broken white line down the center of the doggone road


Yeah, big moon landing
People all standing up
Smiles for the loved ones
They go walking on down the aisles
Each re-engages stepping into the sun
I watch them turn like pages
One by one by one

... James Taylor has the ability to capture life with his lyrics. He has to be one of the most brilliant artists I've been exposed to. I'm grateful that my parents have excellent taste in music -- J. Taylor included.

I am so grateful for musicians like him... He puts words to paper in a way that I can not.

create in me.

Have you ever had sin in your life and felt guilty for it as soon as it happened -- only to turn around and sin over and over again?

I have. And it's not a good feeling at all. I'm not really quite sure how I get there every time, but sure enough something creeps in, distracts my attention, and leads me right back to it. I was reading tonight for one of my classes and one of the discussions was about pacing yourself in how you speak through crucial conversations. Don't just blow up on somebody and then ask for forgiveness. It's important for us to think things through before we speak them -- I'm pretty sure all of our parents taught us that at one point or another. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all. Period. End of story.

This really got me thinking tonight... How many times do I say or do things without even thinking about the effect it may have on those around me? How many times do I feel the need to call out those around me and do the same thing myself? I'm not called to be the judge. In no way, shape, or form do I want to be that person -- that is ALL God. Too many times I say that, but still end up judging those around me. It isn't that I blatantly stand there and judge people all day; no, not at all. But rather, I judge inadvertently. It can be so easy to gloss it over and pretend like we're not doing it, but we are.

I need a change. I need more. I need life.
I want change. I want more. I want life.

"God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life...
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise."
- Psalm 51:10, 15
(the Message)

Create in me a pure heart, O God.
May my heart mirror Yours.