dan in real life.

If you've never seen it, please do. It's for your good -- scouts honor. I'm actually watching it at the moment... Let me tell you about my favorite scene.

So, Dan (a widower with 3 girls) meets this woman whose name is Marie. The way they meet is adorable, but not as good as the scene to follow... Dan and Marie are at this "shack" shall we call it and they're simply enjoying coffee and this incredible looking blueberry muffin -- to which Dan attributes the description of "planet". Amazing. The scene, in its simplicity and purity, depicts what it is like when two people meet and fall in love. I think it can happen... Not to mention, the music for the movie is absolutely phenomenal. Sondre Lerche is a rare gem and adds such symmetry and life to the movie. If I could ever have a soundtrack for my life, it would most definitely be the music found in this movie.

Not sure that I could talk it up any more than I already have, so rent it. Watch it. Trust me, I know you'll love me for it :)

leading lady.

Today was good. A lovely day outside, embraced by good weather and shared with beautiful company.

I spoke with a close friend tonight and somehow, in the simplicity of it all, I had an epiphany. If you've ever had the pleasure of seeing the movie The Holiday you may remember the part where Kate Winslet has supper with this adorable older fellow. His character had been in the movies for years and she is able to learn from his wisdom. During their conversation he says something to her that I will never forget...

"Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend."

It's so perfect. Too many of us women decide we are not worthy of the "leading lady" place and frankly, I'm tired of it. I am finished seeing so many of my girlfriends hurt and I've decided to do something about it. In my conversation with my friend, I repeatedly told her how special she was and how deserving she was of a man that would love her and treat her with respect. Somehow we get in this idea that it's okay to settle... This girl isn't settling. The Lord is teaching me to see myself as He sees me -- as difficult as that is for me to do. He sees beauty, worth, and a pure heart. I don't want to be the best friend... I'd like to be the leading lady. Embrace it with me.

g'nite.

long time, no type.

Hello there.

Today I started the first day of my last spring semester of college. After this spring I will not have another spring break. I cannot imagine life without one. And I'm pretty sure that when mid-March of 2010 rolls around I will be sorely disappointed. Or maybe not...

Maybe I will have landed my dream job, have fallen in love (which I've been wishing for quite some time now), and I'll be completely satisfied. Life has it's way of creeping up on you with surprises. Did I mention I LOVE surprises? Well, I do. Over Christmas break I thought a lot over the next year of my life: where will I be this time next year? who will I meet? what will I be doing? Of course I graduate next December and then what? Honestly, I've never really thought about where I'll be when I graduate, but I can tell you that I thought about it a lot over my break.

There are pro's and con's to moving back home to Atlanta... My parents live there -- rather, my support system -- friends, seasons. Yet, I have friends here too. I have a good job working in the Admission Department here at school and who's to say that they might/might not offer me a job once I graduate? But do I really want to live in Lakeland??? I've thought about places like Europe, Massachusetts, North Carolina... I guess anywhere that I think about has their pro's and con's. So, who knows.

And then there's falling in love. I think part of me has given up on the idea. Truly. It isn't that I don't want it, it's just that love has simply not found me yet. You see, I have this horrible habit of meeting somebody, getting to know them a bit, and then falling for them. And when I say, "fall for them", I mean that I fall deep into this idea that maybe someday they will wake up and see me there. Yes, me. Maybe they'll take note that I'm worth it. Of course love isn't easy, but it's certainly worth it. I've watched my parents and I can only dream of being in love like they are. I want to be noticed... but I'm finished on looking for it myself. When it's time, it will happen. It cannot come too soon.

So, however you may take this, I leave you with this charge (however church-y that just sounded!):

open up your eyes and see what's in front of you.

waiting.

Have you ever waited on something?
...And your stomach began to hurt and your heart raced and the worst possible scenarios decided to replay themselves in your head over and over again?
Welcome.

I am a senior in college and during my finals week, on December 13th, I received a phone call from my parents that I was waiting on, but almost didn't want to answer -- as if to avoid the inevitable. While I was a home a few weeks before, my family and I were at lunch after church one Sunday when my dad chose to share the news with us. He had gone to the doctor and gotten some tests done...

So, here was the phone call. I could already hear it in my mom's voice. It's this tone she has when she has been crying. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I can honestly say I had never imagined this happening. But in that moment I had to make a choice to not worry. God is in control. I thought we were over our big "obstacle" in the Berry household. I thought we had paid our dues in dealing with pain... Nope.

I don't say that to discount what God can do. I believe He will and is healing my dad. I believe He is in control and loves my family very much. He has not brought us this far to simply take my dad away now... Of course there are moments of weakness and feelings that this cannot be real. BUT, in the end, I know that there is a reason for everything. In Ecclesiastes it says,

Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That's how it always is with God.

So, I trust Him. I have to daily give Him my thoughts and believe that He has a reason for everything... A season for everything.

wheel.

Because my beloved friend, Misty, felt the need to judge my last blog entry I wanted to write a more elaborate entry this time around.

Life has been absolutely insane the past month and a half -- hence the reason I haven't written in a while. I have had barely any time to do anything other than read and prepare for exams the last few weeks. Too many projects, papers, and the like. Thanksgiving break was a tease for me -- a week home, two weeks back in Florida, and then back home! But once I go home I won't have anything to worry about because next semester brings new classes.

I feel like I need to take a moment and reflect on what I've learned these past few months... My leadership classes have stretched me and have forced me to do a lot of self-examination. Although there have been a few rough spots in there, I have enjoyed my professors and what they have invested in my life. This semester has been the best of my college career. I've met some amazing people and many of my relationships have been brought full circle.

And that's the way this wheel keeps working now...

your love is strong.

Your Love Is Strong
:Jon Foreman:

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

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.