Update

I'm taking a class on my favorite books in the Bible- I and II Corinthians. This class is interesting…I don't agree with all of the professor's interpretations of the scripture, but I don't disagree with everything either. I Corinthians is full of gentle correction and spiritual truth and I appreciate it more now than ever. II Corinthians is like a ministry update and a lesson in sound doctrine all wrapped up in one letter. Seems like some great stuff to learn from and model after.

I'm writing an exegesis on II Corinthians 1:3-11, called "The God of All Comfort" in my NIV. All comfort. Verses 3-7 are incredibly reassuring and I find myself referencing them when I'm stressing. I'm excited to see what I come up with from poring over this passage for a semester.

I've been doing some design work lately, too. It's been a while since I've dived into any and I'm really enjoying it. I find it easier to create things that please both the "client" and myself than I have in the past. Maybe I'll post a blog of some of my work from the past year. Someday :) Oh, and I've jumped on the Gotham bandwagon. Ya, I'm a little late, but I chose to use it in a logo this past week! Snaps, anyone? The logo's for a young women's conference the college ministry's putting on at my church. Gotham and Lobster1.4. Very nice :) Check it out:

In the end, picture #2 was the winner. Fun design time.

I'm currently playing with some save the date ideas. Trying to come up with something without stepping on the fiancé's toes since it's his nitch…I just keep coming up with concepts and need to get them out of my brain! You know?

Oh, something I'm crazy about right now:

Science & Faith, the Script's new album. So great. I'm really enjoying it. Sure, I wish it had come out two years ago, but I forgive them ;) It was worth the wait in my opinion. I'm also liking Florence and the Machine's album called Lungs. Sure, some of the lyrics are a little graphic, emo and ya, ok, pretty strange. But Florence Welch's voice is so beautiful. So I just skip the songs that creep me out a little, like Girl With One Eye. Weird stuff. But, Dog Days are Over, Cosmic Love and My Boy Builds Coffins are incredible.  I'm also crazy about You've Got the Love, Hurricane Drunk and Drumming Song. I could go on and on. Not so much with Science & Faith because, honestly, many of the Scripts songs sound very similar. I don't know the album well enough to tell you which songs I prefer.

I'm also learning a lot. About myself and all. Ya, I feel like I write this every time I post, but I guess I'm still at that age of self-discovery. Which will probably continue for a lifetime. I'm ok with that. Just figuring out what my strengths are and what my weaknesses are. It's an exciting time and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store. 

My job is awesome, by the way. Another thing to be excited about :)

Have a great Thursday

The Coolest Thing Since Shredded Cheese

Do you remember how you felt when you where a kid and something embarrassing happened to you in public? Like when your mom would drop you off at school and shout, "I love you, Patootie!" from the car window. It seemed like everyone must be watching you. Everyone must have heard her say that! But, in reality, it was simply our childlike egocentric nature. Not that ever kid thinks that they're the coolest thing since shredded cheese (I insist on buying pre-shredded cheese), but let's face it. We were kind of the center of our own universes. Who was the main character in your imaginary adventures as a child? Ya, I was always the princess, too. It's something many people grow out of, though it seems to give one strong last struggle in adolescence before finally being replaced by a growing sense of self-confidence.

I was one of those kids who quickly learned that it was best to not care what others thought of me. I attended very competitive private schools from junior high to sophomore year and I honestly struggled. I maintained my honor roll status, but I constantly felt overwhelmed by the pace of the classes and the piles of homework. The last thing I needed to worry about was what the other kids thought of me. I just didn't have the time.

It would sometimes get under my skin, though. I was different. I was the "good girl," obviously not using anything and I didn't swear. I never paid much attention to what I wore since uniforms were mandatory. My skirts weren't hemmed to the popular so-short-it-got-you-a-detention length. I tended to protect and defend the kids who were bullied or teased. Not to mention that I was a Christian. That was like "social suicide."

My mom would often remind me that I wasn't at school to make friends. And I didn't necessarily want to be close to my classmates. There was a lot of manipulation and experimenting going on that I was far from comfortable with. In the end, I was the one people would talk to when they where marginalized or excluded. I was comfortable in this position. It made me Switzerland. No one wants to pick on the nice kid and no one really wants to include the nice kid in questionable activities. Win win.

When I was about to enter my junior year of high school, I did not reapply to the college-prep, all girls crazy place I had been attending. A friend from middle school had told me of this great school she was at and that I should apply. So I did. And it was like happily ever until-the-end-of-high-school. And I promised myself to focus my attention on what God wanted me to do and how He wanted me to live. Not on the expectations of my peers.

High school's over and the days of worrying about what others think about me are way behind me. Sometimes it's an issue because I'm not a political thinker. My parents are both involved in politics, so I leave that to them :) I'm a very private person and I tend to keep my thoughts and opinions to myself. I try to treat everyone with the respect they deserve as children of God. Most importantly, I try not to take myself too seriously. Now, if I trip down stairs or wear my shirt inside out, I laugh. Ya, it could be embarrassing, but I choose to not let it be. I still tend to be a rescuer and that's ok with me. But I don't worry about how other's interpret it any more. I know who God has called me to reach out to and who am I to not do so?

This, I've realized, is the first worry I let go of. Living this way is like a breath of fresh air. And I think it's important to realize, people are not focused on what you're doing because they're busy considering what they are doing themselves! People may not have an opinion about how you act or dress or whatever until they find you have developed an opinion of them. It's ironic, right?

I'm not trying to encourage an attitude of self-righteousness or anything here. And there are times when a loved one's opinion will affect how I act and encourage me to be a better version of me. Example: I'm shy right off the bat. It might not seem like it on here with me sharing my honest feelings and all, but I really am. I'm guarded and more of an observer than anything. Remember those vibes I talked about way back when? No? That's ok. Let me explain.

I've always scored highest in the area of discernment on those fun spiritual gift tests you take at Christian schools :) I sometimes get a very strong first impression of a person. And it's usually right. But, I've learned to not jump to conclusions. So, I typically keep people at arms length when first getting to know them. This and my shyness end up coming across as…I don't know. Different people perceive it differently…obviously. But J, who knows me best, brought it to my attention ages ago that it can seem mean and rude. It's not intentional, but his honesty has helped me. When he expressed what he thought, it was meant to benefit and not to harm. I'm so glad to have someone in my life who is willing to call me out on things I may be unaware of. 

In summary of this rambling metaphor, I guess I just want to encourage you: don't worry about what other people are thinking. Those closest to you support you and will offer their honest opinions, I'm sure- if you seek them out. If there is something you can improve on, then your friends and family are your best resources. I truly believe that you can't go wrong with politeness and kindness. You can't please everyone. It's healthiest to focus on pleasing the Lord.

Yes, this might sound like self-help mojo nonsense, but I really believe it. So what, who cares? Life's too short to put much of your attention on what the nosey Joneses are saying.

And a Happy New Year

Well, that was quite the hiatus.

I was going to write more often, but I just hadn't felt like writing. Which is slightly out of character, but I'm posting something now…right?

I don't really "believe" in New Year's resolutions, but if I did, it would be about my blog. Something like, "I will post at least once every ten days." A lofty goal :)

Some days I have a million ideas in my head that I could write pages about, and other days I don't. I never thought I'd write something today since I reformatted and updated applications at work, but I think it cured my writer's block. So, the ideas are coming back and here I am.

I started a new job today. It was a great day. I work for Student Ministries at my church now. It makes sense- I love working with students and my peers and it's what I'm going to school for! Winner combo. God is so faithful. I didn't really know what to expect or what I would be doing, but I ended up working on some things I feel passionate about. And everyone was so warm and welcoming. It was a great day.

I think it's a good start to the New Year.

And this is the year I get married :) The planning is going well and I'm so excited. No glitches or real issues there. All the big ticket things are taken care of; and people say wedding planning is stressful! 2011 is like 2010's nice twin so far.

My friend Dena calls me the Inspirational Bride. I've got lots of inspiration and I'm sharing it. Ready or not:

My wedding's theme is love birds and love stories. Birds and books. Don't worry, no feathers included! The colors are gray and purple and a lot of others, but mainly those two. We're having some amazing vendors involved and I can't wait to share with you once I've got something to talk about, haha.

Here are some sites I love to refer to as far as wedding planning goes:

www.stylemepretty.com

www.stylemepretty.com/little-black-book-blog/

www.etsy.com

www.brides.com

and of course:

www.brilliantearth.com

It's a bigger wedding with 200 people invited, but it doesn't feel big! J and I haven't combined our guest list yet, but so far ours are a hundred people long a piece. And then we have to consider our parents' invites. But I'm not stressing. I want the people who have truly supported us and who love us to be there, like family and friends. No one we haven't talked to in three plus years or anything. Budget constraints also limit the guest list and you gotta work with what you got. One of my bridesmaids (jokingly) said, "Only 200? You're not afraid of insulting anyone." I just want to say: I don't want to insult anyone. I don't play games and with limited space we can only squeeze in so many people. We want to share this day with those we're closest to. If we could invite everyone we know, we would. Well, J would :) The idea of a wedding for two is super appealing to me. OK, I kid. But…you know.

So I guess the invites are the only difficult thing so far. We're meeting with our photographer next week and I can't wait to share more about her! Maybe a cake tasting in there somewhere, too. I'll keep you all posted.

I guess this was a catch-up kind of post. It's going to be a year full of change and opportunity and I can't wait to see what happens. Have a great first week back in the swing of things!