Macaroons, Fish, Chips...Well Europe I guess?

Oh my goodness. Ah today-good. Ruthie's birthday party was tonight and it was just fabulous. I really love these guys. Malinda made the best macaroons. Seriously delicious. If I had a picture I would post them, but I did tell Mal that I would post a pic of one of the greatest dessert eating experiences I have ever had. Laduree. Paris. Just me. Here is their website. This is for the one I went to. The site is in French, but basically they started in 1862, serious, when Paris was well let's just saying going through a "nouveau visage" or a face lift. My obsession with them started when I lived in Paris. I could never get anyone to go with me( I'll be honest these little guys are pretty pricey.). So finally on one of my trips back I said the heck with this I'm gonna just go by myself. So I had a great cup of coffee some macaroons and just watched all the old parisian women talk so politely and sip their own cups. It was kinda raining outside. The experience I will remember I think forever. Here's a picture of my plate afterwards. Yum.
So I've been having a lot of conversations about Europe lately and I'm not sure why, but I just love love love talking about traveling. So the next few posts will probably include some travel tips and let's call it some European fun.

Today I'm also really thankful for honest friends. I have some of the best one's around. I feel really loved. There is a trust there that really can only be explained when the Lord has nurtured a relationship.

Finally, since this is a great deal about food- my friend Nicole invited me over the other night for fish and chips. I thought duh? Fish-good. Chips-good. Beer-good. Company-good. So in the fashion that sometimes happens, Nicole bought the "stuff" (fish, chips, beer) and when cooking time came in, well Jonathan got his hands on it. People- it's amazing. I am really blessed to have friends who can cook so good. So instead of cod, we used catfish. Fantastic. It was beer-battered then deep fried. Jonathan made this incredible sauce, as the usual, we ate and I have never bought anything so good. Now my clothes do still smell like fried food, but I highly recommend either trying this out or getting to know Jonathan.

So it's been a while and that's pretty normal for me. Consistency is not something that readily comes to me. But here is to my try. So today- I'm thankful for brokenness. I know- it's a struggle to even say without sounding overwhelmingly cheesey. It's true though. Deep down brokenness. I have no NO idea what the Lord is doing with my life, but I know I have never been more moldable than I am right now. Anything and everything he is going to do in my life- it's all Him. I have nothing and bring nothing to the table. So here's my procolmation to the world, my life, it's His. Anything that comes from me, anything worthy of praise or recognition, it's him. I have nothing to do with it. This is not self-deprication, its fact. It is for the first time seeing myself it the light of who he is and who I am. The glory within me is from the almighty sovereign Lord. I am so thankful He brings wisdom to my heart. Glory to you Gracious Lord. I rejoice in your future provision and your momentary sustaining.

On a few different notes....
1. Take a gander at this blog if you have the chance. Nancy Wilson has been entrusted with much wisdom from the Father, and I am so thankful that I can glean from what the Lord is teaching her. http://femina.reformedblogs.com/
2. Listen to the new Imogen Heap album. She is absolutely fantastic. Not a bad song on the album really. Some are better than others, but all are immensely entertaining.
3. The new Needtobreathe is pretty good to, if you are itchin for some new music.

Exciting faithfulness

Right now I am so thankful that the Lord has protected me from bitterness. I have seen it quietly go in, without notice even, and tear people's lives apart. Maybe it tore mine apart for a while but the Lord has freed me from it. And I in no way could ever think that I have kept myself from this creeping monster. The sovereign Lord has done this, for his glory I can only imagine.
I hate this for people- bitterness. It's like they don't even notice its there really. I mean I guess I didn't really know it was there until it was too late, and I had let it quench my soul. It is something though that must be constantly prayed against. I have to boldly go before the throne and ask the Father for continued strength and wisdom. It is NO lie that the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy- it is so true. If only we could grasp how much he, the clever cunning one, desires to lure us away with momentary treats and temporary thrills. If only we could see this sooner, but the mighty God has a plan even in satan's scheming. Nothing is out of the Father's hand. Nothing.
So even though these past few days have been tough there is so much to rejoice in. He alone is faithful and all good things come from him. His faithfulness excites me-truly.

Right as rain?

Well first and foremost, not to sound overwhelmingly corny- but I am so thankful for the rain. Everybody remember the days of our Alabama drought? Crazy. Well I love it. Something quite soothing to the soul I think. Makes, well forces you, to just slow down a bit. Speaking of rain, Adele (who is excellent by the way if you haven't heard) sings a song called "Right as Rain". Pretty telling I think. Listen here . I'm not sure if anybody actually reads this, but if they do I'd like to know what you think about this song. Let's be honest, or just me for that matter, this is how my dating life has well, always been. (Not the bed part- gees. But pretty much the sentiment.) Wow- thank the Lord for his protection, provision, forgiveness and grace. Looking at my dating life will throw anyone into a full on thanksgiving feast. Moving on before I get out the kleenex.

OH Cosumel Grill- you know just what I need. So tonight one of my oldest and dearest friends who just so happens to be named Cara as well, had dinner with me tonight. I had Burrito Picoso. It was incredible. This steak burrito in an enchilada sauce, stuffed with cheese and rice and beans. I mean I am not sure anyone can surmount the service and the food of this little gem located on 31's Shelby Mart. I love it. Please go. I have no doubt that you will be extremely pleased.

I don't know what I'm doing...So I should stop.

So I am thankful that when life throws you some pretty severe trials that it doesn't destroy the spirit. In fact, scripture says that trials make us even more alive. So honest to goodness I finally understand what the Lord was saying through James. Now I, not meaning me, but the Holy Spirit giving me wisdom through immense suffering.
It's hard- Meredith and I were talking the other night and I was telling her how thankful I am to be totally broken. Like really really broken. Not that religious term so much of "pop-christianity" has turned it into. That brokeness where you aren't sure if people are going to talk to you anymore, when you have such severe moments of recognizing your own sinfulness that without Christ it would be overwhelming. That type of brokeness where the world seems new again because you no longer are the same person. You have been broken- like a vase and it is never the same once its been shattered into a million pieces. Now this is a completely bizarre sentiment- I get that. Grateful that I have made such a mess of things and so thankful that I am not any of my old self anymore. But here's the deal I am pretty sure that there is no other way I would have learned so much of who the Father is if not for these trials. Now most of them were of my own disobedience but how my soul wells up with joy in the fact that SOVEREIGN Almighty God can use even my own sinfulness to bring me to himself. It's amazing. If that doesn't make you want to tell the lady at Taco Bell or the girl standing in line with you at Target about Christ, not sure what will. It is such good news. It is so good for my wretched soul to know I can admit my total depravity and rest in the fantastic power of God. How could I not be thankful for that for the rest of my life?
I am not sure why it has taken me so long to write this, seeing as how this is why I wanted to even start blogging again. But c'est la vie, right?

Ah and thankful for some amount of self-discipline. I start the gym tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. Now in my head I am gonna have a kickin body free of all health ailments and capable of doing any physical activity that I so desire, but I know this will not be true. There will be good days and bad. But the fantastic thing is, is the gym is so nice :) Love it. Love it.

And finally- saw "Julie and Julia". Fantastic. So thankful to a woman who did not give up. Did not falter. Did not compromise. Julia Child- thank you, you have a resilient spirit. You make me want to cook better and more often. What a gem.

Auburn Football...that's right, I said it.

Saturdays-How can you not be thankful for Saturdays? I really love them in the fall and yes I am going to say it-FOOTBALL!!! I can't wait. Things are pretty different this year, we have a new coach and I'm just not really sure about the quarterback. To say I'm nervous, well that's silly. I love to watch the game. I love the crowds. I love the traditions. I've been going to Auburn football games since, well since before I could remember. When we first started going you could tailgate wherever your little heart desired. Then Big Brother took over and for heaven's sake you have to park ten miles away take the TigerTransit in to the stadium. I don't know its just gotten sort of ridiculous, but this is not the place for that. Not gonna do it folks, not gonna get mad.
I'm so thankful my alma mater is full of rich traditions, culture. Here are a few:
1. Tiger- no not really a tiger but our eagle.
2. Tailgaiting before and after the game! The relaxed way.
3. War.......Eagle. Hey!
4. Wearing Orange
5. Rollin Toomer's Corner

And I think herein lies the problem, I am so familiar with my Auburn culture that I can't tell you all the things we do. Well here's to you AU. I love ya!

Friends new and old

So I mentioned being really thankful for friends and if you are like me...I LOVE seeing pictures on people's blogs. So here are few of my most favorite people. A few.

This is Sarah. We rode the bus together in middle school and since a we were graciously selected to be on the "late bus" we sat around in the caf about an hour after school let out. We became pretty tight. We kinda lost touch when we enter the big pivotal years of high school, but low and behold 10th grade career fair. I was clearly overwhelmed or maybe underwhelmed I am now realizing and was sitting on the floor of the library. Sarah came over and plopped down beside me. "I think we could be best friends" - Sarah's words to me. And from there we were pretty inseparable. I love her dearly. She has always welcomed me with hospitablity.
This is Erin. Our first encounter, well let's just say it wasn't the best. Back of a 15-passenger van. I was 20, Erin was 19- She thought I hated her and I thought she was some rude girl from Texas. She probably remembers the details better than I do. That's pretty normal. Some of the best memories...Erin and I decided to run during one of our summers. Every morning during camp. Like 5 o'clock in the a.m. Crazy we were, but it was a lot of fun. New York- we picked out her outfit for her first date with Ben. Super big deal! I love her dearly. She has loved me through it all.

This is Meredith. From the beginning I knew the Lord had placed Meredith in my life intentionally. She was in the classroom right across the hall. I was getting my room ready a few days before school and I saw that there were a few people across the hall. Jonathan, Meredith's boyfriend at the time, was unstacking all the desks and helping her just get things ready. I remember after our first week we both sat down in some desks in my room after a very long Friday and couldn't believe we had made it. She has loved me in a way only the Lord could. She knows all my faults. Has spoken truth into my life in love and has opened her family up to me. I love her with all my heart. I love her children. I can't really express how the Lord has used this friend in my life, but my heart resounds with thanksgiving for Meredith.
Karra. If this was anybody else they would kill me for putting up this picture- but it's Karra and that is only one of the reasons I love her. She is my oldest friend. Karra and I met when we were 4 years old, growing up in Montgomery. We were roommates at Auburn, have traveled Europe together, and to be honest I'm not sure if I could have done this with many other people. I was in the room when her second girl, Sarah Elizabeth, was born. Her home is like my second home. I feel safe and loved there. I can always count on her home to be a place of refuge and relaxation. We've been through a lot together and needless to say she knows a great deal about me.
Katie Moon. Been friends for a really long time. Some of the funniest memories are our beach trip or when she sat through every baseball game my senior year in high school so I could watch my boyfriend sit on the bench. That's commitment people. She makes me laugh and I am so thankful for that. She is super talented. I'm sure you know!

FEMA camps what?

wow. community. tonight felt a little like college and it was AWESOME! i went over to a friend's house and we started a Bible study on Daniel. It was the first time in a long time that I was really diving into the word on an intimate level. It was fantastic. Challenging and totally invigorating. So here's a little personal thank you: Brandi, Senia, and Ruthie- thank you for being my friend. I am so glad I am yours.

Thankful to feel like myself again. been a long long long time coming but it feels really great. decided to start some type of running again. as much as i don't think i like discipline, apparently i was created for some type of it so thinking about running again. who knows but it is a goal tonight.

thankful for safe places to learn and grow and discover more through His word. that is priceless.

thankful to not be a loose canon like Hilary C. Gees lady loosen up!

thankful for some money in the bank to pay those bills. (however dwendeling it may be.)


really thankful for new friendships- Laura, thank you for reaching out. really thankful for old ones.

Thankful that right now I am not in a FEMA camp (thank you Senia and Brandi).

And honest to goodness I am just really thankful for freedom, in this country and in my life. fear is no place to be, let's be honest.

Jane Austen. Today I am thankful for Jane. Watched "Persuasion" tonight and it was great. Really great. I was almost knocked on my you-know-what because of the character of the leading man. For those of you that don't know- he resolves himself to marry someone he does not have feelings for because "inadvertently" he has led her on. He realizes he would not be able to stand the thought of taking someone's heart to a place where it was not intended and so he decides his duty is to ask for her hand in marriage. Now I am not saying that I wished every guy who led me on had asked for my hand, but he probably should have and don't you think it would make us think a lot harder about flirting and our own intentions if these were the standards we were held to? I love it. There's a lot to get from this and when I have more time...well you know.

Candles. I stopped by Yucatan, behind the summit. They make their own candles. The big ones are $9 and they will refil them for $5. The scents are incredible. I mean seriously good. There is something a great candle does to a room. Just love it. Olive Blossom is fantastic. They have smaller ones you can buy as well that are $5. The big ones should last up to 60 hours.

Music and Hamburgers

First of all, do you remember Ben Fold Five's song "Brick"? Its really a great song. Ok- right, super sad, but really really good. Which leads me to some of my thankfuls for today. Good music. I love discovering new music and just remember good stuff. Today, I feel like people have lost all desire to be creative and mostly true and honest. You know what I mean? I mean yes- people can be well shocking, but mixing lyrics to coincide with crecendos and rhythm. Its great. A few songs I would encourage checking out right now:
1. "Poison and Wine" by the Civil Wars http://www.myspace.com/thecivilwars
2. "Sex and ReRuns" by Matt Duke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3wqxJznmaA
( a little note about this one- the lyrics are fantastically honest. Its just really good.I could say a lot about this song- but that's another post and it might really be.)

Movin on- I am thankful for a quick easy awesome hamburger. Five Guys has one of the best burgers I've ever had. Its just superb. I go with the "little chesseburger". Nothing else needs to be said except if you go- INVITE ME. Gracious if you haven't been- go.

Finally, I'm glad for the Lord's faithful hand. He never gives up and his truth is really so much better than anything else. There just really isn't any argument here. Its just fact.