Christmas is one of my favourite holidays. I love the smells of cookies baking, hot chocolate, coffee, Yankee candles, and snow. And yes, snow DOES have a smell! I love that everyone is playing Christmas music--even the secular radio stations! Sure, you'll hear the traditional "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," but you will also hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." And to me, that is one of the best things about Christmas. It is once a year that the entire world proclaims that in a little town in Bethlehem the Savior of the world was born.
The other day (now, it's been about two weeks now) I wore my jingle bell bracelet. It is my one piece of holiday jewelry and I love it! The kids in high school hated me for wearing it. Every move I make, this thing jingles. It's not too loud and obnoxious, but everyone knows when I'm in the room! I noticed it most when I was driving. I had a bit of a crazy day and was running all over the place. But in my car, when I was listening to the world proclaim the birth of the Savior it won't recognize any other time of the year, my jingle bells sounded like hope, tinkling with every turn I made. What if, instead of an angel getting it's wings, a person came to know to true meaning of Christmas every time a bell rang? What a thought!
May you 'jingle all the way' to the manger this Christmas season!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Confession is good for something, right?
Confession time: I have been failing at Operation Every day is a good day. Miserably. It's true.
I'm not sure where I went wrong. I think I decided that MY feelings were the most important thing in the day and acted on that knowledge. I felt like I was ignoring the things that brought tears to my day by claiming that "Every day is good day" when I could point to a specific time that ruined that particular day. Even as I'm writing this, I'm kicking myself. But I don't always listen to myself. My co-worker told me today, after I was complaining about a legitimate bad part of my morning, "Why does she really matter? People always say stupid things. If her opinion really matters, then okay. But if it doesn't, don't worry about it." How true. I've been putting too much value on what other people think of me, instead of what God thinks of me and the truth He tells me about his creation.
So I'm going to do a major attitude adjustment. And just in time, I'd say. My weekly reoccurring appointment that I'm not so fond of is in 15 minutes.
Breathe in, breathe out.
God is in control.
God knows what is going to happen before it happens.
God is Sovereign.
P.S. So...much later today I figured out that satan doesn't like people who depend on God. He doesn't like people who decide to have a good attitude about bad situations. Just so ya'll are warned, it ain't no picnic! But I must say, life looks way better through God's perspective so it is so worth it!
I'm not sure where I went wrong. I think I decided that MY feelings were the most important thing in the day and acted on that knowledge. I felt like I was ignoring the things that brought tears to my day by claiming that "Every day is good day" when I could point to a specific time that ruined that particular day. Even as I'm writing this, I'm kicking myself. But I don't always listen to myself. My co-worker told me today, after I was complaining about a legitimate bad part of my morning, "Why does she really matter? People always say stupid things. If her opinion really matters, then okay. But if it doesn't, don't worry about it." How true. I've been putting too much value on what other people think of me, instead of what God thinks of me and the truth He tells me about his creation.
So I'm going to do a major attitude adjustment. And just in time, I'd say. My weekly reoccurring appointment that I'm not so fond of is in 15 minutes.
Breathe in, breathe out.
God is in control.
God knows what is going to happen before it happens.
God is Sovereign.
P.S. So...much later today I figured out that satan doesn't like people who depend on God. He doesn't like people who decide to have a good attitude about bad situations. Just so ya'll are warned, it ain't no picnic! But I must say, life looks way better through God's perspective so it is so worth it!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
oh, what a beautiful morning!
Okay, now I know those of you who seriously know me are thinking, "Wait a second. I don't always understand Laura but one thing I do know is this: She NEVER calls mornings beautiful! What is wrong with her?!"(That's exactly what you were thinking, now isn't it?)
Well... I haven't made it through the whole morning (See, now there's the cynical Laura you all know!) but so far, it has me smiling. As I was making my coffee today, I noticed my hibiscus plant had flowered right in front of the window. It's been doing that this year and I have no idea why. It felt like a smile from heaven today, though. I have some paper work I need to take care of at school that I'm really not looking forward to. I am speaking at a church thing tonight, and while I'm really excited, I'm also a bit nervous about the public speaking bit...
BUT through it all, I have the coffee and I know that God made that flower bloom to remind me that He is with me. And that, I think, is what makes this morning so good.
Monday, August 31, 2009
say, "hey, it's a good day!"
A blog post? On a Monday morning? Yup. That's right folks. Thanks for noticing.
I thought I'd catch you all up on life and Operation "Every day is a good day". I can tell you are all excited about this one :)
The end of last week actually went quite well. There is something to be said about only two classes a day. It makes me feel like I'm not really busy...which ultimately is a bad thing for me. Cue Sunday night. I was at church until 9pm, then I came home to do homework...I think I was up until 11pm. Now, 50% of that was actual work. The rest, well...
Whilst at church though, I was able to talk to my friend who helped start Operation "Every day is a good day", and boy, did I lay into him. "Um, was it supposed to be this hard?" I asked him accusingly. I think he actually laughed a bit before he answered. "Yes. At least in the beginning it will be hard. But keep telling yourself, 'Every day is a good day' and eventually you will believe it. Some days you might not feel like it (At this point, he says the catch phrase with a grimace and made it sound like a few choice words were left out...). Say it anyway."
Through this whole exchange, I couldn't help but think of the phrase from 'Elizabethtown': If it wasn't this, it'd be something else. I always thought that was a stupid phrase, but really, I think it fits. If I could have found a parking space this morning, maybe my car would have been dinged in the parking lot (like I would actually notice). If it wasn't that, it could have been something much worse, and there are TONS of things worse than walking five minutes to a parking space, right? Of course right.
Today the Learning Center was (still is!) crazy busy. I had my first appointments of the semester and both went very well. I owe this, not to my insane English grammar & paper writing skills, but to my adjustment in attitude. I came in this morning and did my whole, "Oh poo. I have appointments? Ewww, gross." Then everyone was saying, "Um, Laura? That is your job. This is what we get PAID to do." That's when I realised I was being negative and that I needed a new outlook on life. I tried to pass my negativity off as joking (not sure if they bought it or not), and changed the way I was speaking. As I did this, it changed my attitude as well. Score one for Operation "Every day is a good day".
The rest of my day looks good. Well, except the part where I don't know what time my class starts. I left work in a tizzy after my last appointment, ran upstairs and planned on being a few minutes late for class. I walk in and, except for my professor, there was only one person in class.
" Tom", I say to my professor, "Class starts at two, right?"
"Naw" he says, "Starts at 3.30."
"Aww, crappers", says I.
But hey! I was early for class and THAT is a good thing!
I thought I'd catch you all up on life and Operation "Every day is a good day". I can tell you are all excited about this one :)
The end of last week actually went quite well. There is something to be said about only two classes a day. It makes me feel like I'm not really busy...which ultimately is a bad thing for me. Cue Sunday night. I was at church until 9pm, then I came home to do homework...I think I was up until 11pm. Now, 50% of that was actual work. The rest, well...
Whilst at church though, I was able to talk to my friend who helped start Operation "Every day is a good day", and boy, did I lay into him. "Um, was it supposed to be this hard?" I asked him accusingly. I think he actually laughed a bit before he answered. "Yes. At least in the beginning it will be hard. But keep telling yourself, 'Every day is a good day' and eventually you will believe it. Some days you might not feel like it (At this point, he says the catch phrase with a grimace and made it sound like a few choice words were left out...). Say it anyway."
Through this whole exchange, I couldn't help but think of the phrase from 'Elizabethtown': If it wasn't this, it'd be something else. I always thought that was a stupid phrase, but really, I think it fits. If I could have found a parking space this morning, maybe my car would have been dinged in the parking lot (like I would actually notice). If it wasn't that, it could have been something much worse, and there are TONS of things worse than walking five minutes to a parking space, right? Of course right.
Today the Learning Center was (still is!) crazy busy. I had my first appointments of the semester and both went very well. I owe this, not to my insane English grammar & paper writing skills, but to my adjustment in attitude. I came in this morning and did my whole, "Oh poo. I have appointments? Ewww, gross." Then everyone was saying, "Um, Laura? That is your job. This is what we get PAID to do." That's when I realised I was being negative and that I needed a new outlook on life. I tried to pass my negativity off as joking (not sure if they bought it or not), and changed the way I was speaking. As I did this, it changed my attitude as well. Score one for Operation "Every day is a good day".
The rest of my day looks good. Well, except the part where I don't know what time my class starts. I left work in a tizzy after my last appointment, ran upstairs and planned on being a few minutes late for class. I walk in and, except for my professor, there was only one person in class.
" Tom", I say to my professor, "Class starts at two, right?"
"Naw" he says, "Starts at 3.30."
"Aww, crappers", says I.
But hey! I was early for class and THAT is a good thing!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
However long our feet have walked on this world
We’ve all lived long enough to know
That sometimes life will go our way
And other times it won’t
But still I’ve got this joy inside of me
With each new dawn I do believe to
Say hey, it’s a good day
Even if things aren’t going my way
Jesus is Lord and I am saved
So, say hey, it’s a good day
Circumstance and situations change
You know life can turn on a dime
But there’s a constant hope and peace
That I have come to find
And it’s all because of who God is
And that He is alive and I am His, so
Say hey, it’s a good day
Even if things aren’t going my way
Jesus is Lord and I am saved
So, say hey, it’s a good day
We are all as happy as we make our minds up to be
I have just decided that nothing’s gonna take this joy from me
~FFH "Say hey, it's a good day"~
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
My Fickle Friend, the Summer Wind
Another semester has started. I already miss my summer!
Now before you start yelling at me, hold on just a second! I was working at the school all summer long! I only had one tiny vacation and...well, now I'm even annoying myself! Never mind.
I was lucky enough to take a ride to see my friends, who live near Hershey World, and spend the weekend away from home and thoughts of school. It was the best! Oh, did I mention my friend is a chef? So not only was I on vacation, I was eating good food whilst on vacation. And lest I forget, there was a Grind 'n' Brew coffee pot in the mix too! Coffee whenever I decided to roll out of bed AND good food. It was a much needed break.
But after I came home Sunday night, I had to think about school. I'm still finding the transition into academia a little bit harder than usual. Perhaps it is because this year is shadowed with the thoughts of a Spring graduation. Perhaps it is because I have, in my mind, the least marketable degree --English with a minor in Philosophy-- and am sure I will be living in a cardboard box. Perhaps it is because I do not trust...
Hard as the transition might be, I'm still the same old me. I just finished typing up a reflection paper. It's due at 3.30--I started it at 8AM. It is now 1pm and I don't really care if it's grammatically correct or not. Huzzah for Senior year.
I'm trying new things this year. Journalism for one. That meets in an hour. Another new thing is my fixing my outlook on life. The phrase is "Every day is a good day". Let me be perfectly frank with you: I am a confirmed cynic. If I don't hate the world before my cup of coffee, I hate it as soon as it wears off. If I still don't hate the world, watch out. There will be an event, any event will do-small or large- that will prompt me into the biggest funk you have ever seen. It could be no parking at school coupled with having to park on the street. It could be the way you looked at me after I tried to say something witty. It could be the way old co-workers treat me. Like I said, it could be anything. But after my weekend away and some advice from a friend, I was inspired to fix my view of things. He didn't exactly mention it would be this hard. He said it had it's problems, but I might be writing him with a refund check in mind for the last few days. That, or a demand for anther weekend vacation in the very near future.
If you see me and I look mad, talk to me. Ask me about the good things happening in my life. When I try to moan about my life, stop me. Seriously. If it takes all year, I will try to like life.
Off to lunch and socializing.
I did it.
That is something good about today.
What good things are happening in YOUR life? Tell a friend or enemy. Make them share one good thing with you too. ...Just humor me, okay?!
Now before you start yelling at me, hold on just a second! I was working at the school all summer long! I only had one tiny vacation and...well, now I'm even annoying myself! Never mind.
I was lucky enough to take a ride to see my friends, who live near Hershey World, and spend the weekend away from home and thoughts of school. It was the best! Oh, did I mention my friend is a chef? So not only was I on vacation, I was eating good food whilst on vacation. And lest I forget, there was a Grind 'n' Brew coffee pot in the mix too! Coffee whenever I decided to roll out of bed AND good food. It was a much needed break.
But after I came home Sunday night, I had to think about school. I'm still finding the transition into academia a little bit harder than usual. Perhaps it is because this year is shadowed with the thoughts of a Spring graduation. Perhaps it is because I have, in my mind, the least marketable degree --English with a minor in Philosophy-- and am sure I will be living in a cardboard box. Perhaps it is because I do not trust...
Hard as the transition might be, I'm still the same old me. I just finished typing up a reflection paper. It's due at 3.30--I started it at 8AM. It is now 1pm and I don't really care if it's grammatically correct or not. Huzzah for Senior year.
I'm trying new things this year. Journalism for one. That meets in an hour. Another new thing is my fixing my outlook on life. The phrase is "Every day is a good day". Let me be perfectly frank with you: I am a confirmed cynic. If I don't hate the world before my cup of coffee, I hate it as soon as it wears off. If I still don't hate the world, watch out. There will be an event, any event will do-small or large- that will prompt me into the biggest funk you have ever seen. It could be no parking at school coupled with having to park on the street. It could be the way you looked at me after I tried to say something witty. It could be the way old co-workers treat me. Like I said, it could be anything. But after my weekend away and some advice from a friend, I was inspired to fix my view of things. He didn't exactly mention it would be this hard. He said it had it's problems, but I might be writing him with a refund check in mind for the last few days. That, or a demand for anther weekend vacation in the very near future.
If you see me and I look mad, talk to me. Ask me about the good things happening in my life. When I try to moan about my life, stop me. Seriously. If it takes all year, I will try to like life.
Off to lunch and socializing.
I did it.
That is something good about today.
What good things are happening in YOUR life? Tell a friend or enemy. Make them share one good thing with you too. ...Just humor me, okay?!
Friday, July 17, 2009
straight from God's iPod...
These past few days have been a time for me to re-learn & remember that God is in control of every aspect of my day. It started Sunday, then continued Monday with my muffler. Today and yesterday, I've had some insane swelling around my eyes for no reason. I've been feeling down about this and other things, particularly those to do with applying for a 'real' job. I turned on my Panodra radio this morning and created a new station-Lincoln Brewster. The first song was one I was listening to on Monday, "Today's the Day". Okay, thanks God. You made the day and everything in it. You know it's there, so I shouldn't have to worry. Then the next song, "Enough" from Chris Tomlin. Okaaay...I think I get it, God. You are all I need. You are more than enough for everything I need. I started to think that God was behind my Pandora station, just scrolling through his Heavenly iPod thinking, "How else can I remind Laura that I am with her, looking out for her, keeping her safe & orchestrating her day the way I have planned for it to go? Ah, how 'bout I play Third Day's, "Your Love, Oh Lord"? Sounds like a good plan..."
I have no doubt that this is what He did, because the song that just ended was another Brewster tune that said God would never let go of me. Amen & thank you Lord! Keep me caught in this moment where I am held in Your arms.
I have no doubt that this is what He did, because the song that just ended was another Brewster tune that said God would never let go of me. Amen & thank you Lord! Keep me caught in this moment where I am held in Your arms.
Every morning praise I sing to Thee
You're slow to wrath and
Swift to bless my soul
Your love endures unchanging
O hallelujah
CHORUS:
Cover me with Your grace
Shine on me with Your light
Take Your arms hold me tight
Keep me caught in the moment
Every night I pray myself to sleep
I look to You and plead
My soul You'll keep
You endure unchanging
O hallelujah
You've opened my eyes now
The mystery is clear to me
That in You and You alone
I find the love that sets me free
~Lincoln Brewster "Caught in the Moment"~
You're slow to wrath and
Swift to bless my soul
Your love endures unchanging
O hallelujah
CHORUS:
Cover me with Your grace
Shine on me with Your light
Take Your arms hold me tight
Keep me caught in the moment
Every night I pray myself to sleep
I look to You and plead
My soul You'll keep
You endure unchanging
O hallelujah
You've opened my eyes now
The mystery is clear to me
That in You and You alone
I find the love that sets me free
~Lincoln Brewster "Caught in the Moment"~
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
books, books, and mufflers
I should be grateful for all this down time at work so I can blog...but sometimes I'm not. I've actually been really busy these past few weeks. Instead of working with Inter-library loan, which used to be my main area plus all the shelving, I am learning the fine art of Technical Services this summer--along with the other work in ILL and Circulation. I do mean 'fine art' because a lot of the work is very tedious and I'm staring at a computer screen almost all day. It's not bad all the time--promise! It's been really interesting learning a new department of the library-and there are always some perks with new tasks. I get to look at new books and donated books in some of the work, so that is always a plus!
Speaking of books, the Friends of the Library book sale is the weekend!!!! I can't wait! I've been looking forward to this thing for over a year. Last year, I think I got 15 books for $20 -- and 90% were hardback! It was like Christmas! I have a new book bag to take with me and I hope it's enough! While I'd love to spend all my money there, I must save some of it for car payments. This brings up a whole other chapter in my life this summer, one I'm not very happy with. My UGLY 1991 Ford Tempo (affectionately named Viper by the one and only Heather Kiss.) has been givin' me grief for almost 5 months. First it was the expensive inspection (which I'm still paying off). Then, it didn't want to start right away. It wasn't the starter, because if you jiggled the gear shift and waited a while it eventually started. This got increasingly worse and after a visit to the best garage man ever, Viper was once again starting like clockwork. I've also been keeping an eye on the gasket head (I think that's what it is anyway) which probably needs to be replaced. Then, to put the proverbial 'icing on the cake', my muffler fell off Monday night. Well, it would be more accurate to say my muffler rusted off, because that is exactly what happened. After trying to get it off (and failing--but boy did I try!), a very nice man came over to my car and we had this conversation:
MAN: Hey, I see your muffler's hanging off your car there.
ME: (to self: No, really? Thanks!!!!! Is that what the large 'clunk' was about 30 min ago?)
(what I actually said) Yeah, it is.
MAN: Want me to give you a hand with it?
ME: Sure that would be great!
[2.5 seconds later]
MAN: (holding muffler in one hand) Where do you want it?
ME: (facepalm female fail) Let me get the trunk.
So now, for the second time in my life, my muffler is riding around in my trunk. But God has a plan, and worked out a way for it to get fixed this week WITHOUT the massive garage bill. Yay!
And really, that bit, the bit where God provided for me, has been the best part of my week. Even though, in order for that to happen, my muffler had to fall off first.
Speaking of books, the Friends of the Library book sale is the weekend!!!! I can't wait! I've been looking forward to this thing for over a year. Last year, I think I got 15 books for $20 -- and 90% were hardback! It was like Christmas! I have a new book bag to take with me and I hope it's enough! While I'd love to spend all my money there, I must save some of it for car payments. This brings up a whole other chapter in my life this summer, one I'm not very happy with. My UGLY 1991 Ford Tempo (affectionately named Viper by the one and only Heather Kiss.) has been givin' me grief for almost 5 months. First it was the expensive inspection (which I'm still paying off). Then, it didn't want to start right away. It wasn't the starter, because if you jiggled the gear shift and waited a while it eventually started. This got increasingly worse and after a visit to the best garage man ever, Viper was once again starting like clockwork. I've also been keeping an eye on the gasket head (I think that's what it is anyway) which probably needs to be replaced. Then, to put the proverbial 'icing on the cake', my muffler fell off Monday night. Well, it would be more accurate to say my muffler rusted off, because that is exactly what happened. After trying to get it off (and failing--but boy did I try!), a very nice man came over to my car and we had this conversation:
MAN: Hey, I see your muffler's hanging off your car there.
ME: (to self: No, really? Thanks!!!!! Is that what the large 'clunk' was about 30 min ago?)
(what I actually said) Yeah, it is.
MAN: Want me to give you a hand with it?
ME: Sure that would be great!
[2.5 seconds later]
MAN: (holding muffler in one hand) Where do you want it?
ME: (facepalm female fail) Let me get the trunk.
So now, for the second time in my life, my muffler is riding around in my trunk. But God has a plan, and worked out a way for it to get fixed this week WITHOUT the massive garage bill. Yay!
And really, that bit, the bit where God provided for me, has been the best part of my week. Even though, in order for that to happen, my muffler had to fall off first.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
