:o)

There comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones. - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Someone stop me

I bought a pound and a half of cherries at the grocery store yesterday...and...um...they are over half way gone. Someone please stop me. They are so, so, so yummy.

Today and always..

"Don't seek to be perfect; seek to stare at your God." - Gibson

It's official...

Training for the 2007 Nike Women's Marathon has begun.

I'm starting out slow, but you'll be able to see how many miles I've logged as I update my sidebar.

And...I am running with Team In Training. I don't have my website up yet, but I'll get it going (with a link on my sidebar) and start sending out letters in early June.

My life as a Far Side comic.

Last night, I needed to make a quick run to Target. I grabbed my keys and my credit card and headed out the door. I shut the door behind me and stood there for a minute or so trying to figure out why the door wouldn't lock. I was standing right there, and I couldn't hear the lock engage. Yep, that's when it hit me...I was attempting to lock my apartment using the wireless entry system for my car.

Waiting for sleep to come.

I've been trying to go to sleep since about 10 pm. Thus far, I haven't been successful, but I wouldn't say that I've been a failure either.

As I've awaited the sleep I so long for, praises...songs of worship have been running through my head. Although my body is tired and my mind is weary, my heart wants to praise the Lord.

I received a sweet email from one of my dear friends. In it, she said that she was praying that God would place His song on my lips and in my heart today. He answered her prayer...He is faithful.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. - Psalm 145:3a

Father God, thank you for being worthy of all praise. Thank you for reminding me that I can still praise You even when I'm tired...even if I feel like I have nothing left to offer You...I am to praise You. Thank you for Your faithfulness in answering prayers. Amen.

The Grad and I

My brother graduated from the University of North Texas on Saturday.
I am so proud of him.

Congratulations, Kyle!

Time to breathe...

The pace of life is so fast. So many things have to be done every day that more often than not they become tasks instead of blessings. I realized this while watering my plants this evening. My thought was I'll take a 10 minute study break to water my plants...like it was just a task to check off for the day.

But then I got out there. My gardenia is in full bloom...the fragrance is nothing short of amazing. My morning glories and snap-dragons are vibrant with color and full of life. My tomato plants have more than 50 tomatoes between the two of them (and they're not cherry tomatoes). And then there's my hibiscuses...their blooms absolutely take my breath away.

They may be my plants, but God has made them, and He made them beautiful. He made them to show His glory and to remind me of Himself.

Lord, thank you for today. Thank you for the little moments where You remind me to take time to enjoy Your creation. Thank you for leading me beside a quiet water, even just for a moment, so that I could breathe Your fragrance in deep.

"Learn to hold loosely all that is not eternal." - Maud Royden

Just in case you were wondering...

...if it's ever needed, I can play little orphan Annie.

"The sun will come out, tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow, there'll be sun
Just thinkin' about, tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow
til there's none..."

love me?...yes

I received this today from a guy I went to high school with in his newsletter, and I just thought I'd pass it on. He grew up in Azle but now lives and works in Tennessee. His website is www.kairosworld.com

it was 'children's day' today in church. 'children's day' is about as real as it gets; "real" being in agreement with webster's def.: adj. [ree-uhl] unfeigned or sincere. you know. they sing songs with motions. hand motions. half face the congregation. half face the choir. it's a mess.

i've discovered there are two types of children in this setting: 1) the grinners. teeth showing, they shout the songs, wave to mom, dad, grandmother and grandad, a distant cousin and each of their past four babysitters. 2) the blanks. with an apathetic posture they stare directly at their mother and father simultaneously, communicating "you did this to me".

and on this day, we adults sincerely enjoy both.

then, in the middle of the teeming chaos, they open their mouths. "Jesus loves me/this i know/for the Bible tells me so", spilling the truth of Salvation into the open air. and without prompt, the congregation begins to hum along, "little ones to Him belong/they are weak but He is strong".

i've made grievous mistakes in my twenty-three+ years. the morning after one of many transgressions, i spent time with my, at that time, twenty month-old cousin graham while his parents visited the doctor. after awhile, graham inevitably became upset, wanting to see his mom, dad and his sibling yet to be. tears flowed hard.

we rode up and down elevators, talked with strangers, stuck our noses in water fountains, walked outside and had a heart to heart chat about the uselessness of the crying. more tears.

not being a parent i'm not up on the tricks of the trade, but it suddenly hit me - SING. "yes, Jesus loves me/yes Jesus loves me/yes, Jesus loves me/the Bible tells me so". graham's crying turned quiet. and my hopeless heart began to beat again.

"when i said, my foot is slipping
your love, oh Lord, supported me". psalm 94:18, 19.

taking a hint from the child in each of us, may we never forget the love of our gracious father, God.

andrew

Free and healthy?

The hospital celebrated Earth Day today. There were free trees by the arm full and free basil by the cupful (no, I didn't get any more). There was also an advertised "free and healthy lunch"...interesting...hot dogs, potato chips, carrot sticks, and cake.

I think someone is confused.

I amuse myself.

I often look up information on the internet for class or just for my own understanding. Since I have a laptop, my computer usually isn't hooked up to my printer. Anyway, once I find the information I need I email myself the site. More often than not...when I hear the little click indicating that I have new email, I get excited. Wow...who sent me an email...yeah...it was just me...I just sent myself an email. Oh, well...I should get excited about an email from me...I'm a pretty special person.

Cupcakes...

I made cupcakes last week. I decided to get fancy.

Would you...

...prefer to possess great physical strength or be naturally graceful?

June 2nd

In 6 weeks and two days, I will take the USMLE Step 1.

One day - eight hours - 350 questions.

Most of my time right now is spent studying...attempting to divide the time between studying for the Step and class (only 12 days left).

This exam is important, but contrary to what the school administration says, it doesn't determine the rest of my life. God is bigger than that; He can open doors that we think are nailed shut. However, I do want to well, so I'm putting in my time.

As I prepare, I could use prayers. I had a mini-meltdown last night, which really wasn't too bad (it lasted about 20 minutes), but I need to remember that God is in control. I don't want to succumb to the anxiety that fills so many of my classmates. God has led me here. He's not about to abandon me. I need to remember that. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, You comforts delight my soul. - Psalm 94:19

When I was studying for the MCAT, one of my dear friends continually reminded me of Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. I want to remember this and continue to praise Him and glorify Him.

So yeah, I know I don't often put prayer requests on my blog, actually I don't know if I've ever put a prayer request on my blog...but I wanted to share. Please pray...and if you're inclined, I could always use gift cards to Panera Bread or Starbucks (my favorite study places).

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6

Today's a holiday

It's International Juggler's Day!

Do you know someone who can juggle?
Celebrate him or her today.

Something new and different...

So I spent the last hour picking mulberries. It was so much fun. Hmmm...what to do now?...I guess I'll make cobbler.

Experiencing the God who comforts.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

My God comforts. He comforts in all things. He comforts when I've been wronged, but He also comforts when I'm the one who is wrong. I don't deserve comfort, but He is merciful, and so I accept His gift of comfort.

I pray that you would allow God to comfort you in all circumstances. He is willing, but you must accept.

So I'm studying...

...and I have Friends on as background noise.

Ross just started singing Sir Mix-a-Lot...ah...I love Friends.