'Pretty Good.'

You ever wake up one day and have a vague idea of what a day holds and then it ends in a completely unexpected way? That's what happened to me about two months ago now.

I went up to help my old roommate move all of her stuff to a different city. I picked up one of my best guy friends on the way to help us with the move. We helped her pack along with a team of our friends. Sunday night, everyone left except my guy friend and I as we were going to get the last leg of the journey done on Monday. It was a normal day of moving, eating and spending long hours in the car listening to the Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack.

About 30 minutes before I dropped him off, he asked me what the chance of us becoming more than friends is. My reply was 'pretty good'. With those two words, things changed. Two months later, we are still dating and trying to figure out our futures, both individually and together. It's incredible. I never expected things to change so quickly.

That's a brief update on one of the many changes on my life. More life updates are coming! In the mean time, enjoy this picture of me and my Prince Charming.

What if money was no object?

 

Here's a little inspiration from lecturer Alan Watts to enlighten your Thursday morning.

12 for 12 December Round Up

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 November Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

Remember that To Read List? I finished Eric and Leslie Ludy's book When God Writes Your Love Story on the last day of December. Other than that, that's all I got for December so I guess that list is final. Heading into 2013, I'm going to keep working on this list and adding more into it. You can find me on Good Reads to see what I'm reading and how good I'm doing on that.

2. 5K.

You know that wonderful cookie eating 5K I signed up for? I was sick for it. I didn't go, especially since it was a few days before Christmas. It was no help though because I was definitely still sick for Christmas. 5K goals are just going to linger above my head I guess forever.

3. Quotes.

I still didn't know where the Quote Book was during December. I found it this January and can't wait to add to it this next year and see the old quotes for it.

4. Blog.

My 2012 was going to be done on December 31st. I even sat down to write it. NCIS was on though and that was distracting so here I am in 2013 writing my last 12 for 12 Update and providing closure to this chapter in my life. I do want to continue blogging into this next year and I have high hopes for being more consistent, but we'll see how that goes...

5. Create.

My creations were all handmade gifts.

6. Learn.

Sometimes, you just have to adjust. You also can never stop learning.

7. Minimize.

Yea-yuh! This one is going pretty well. Thing are moving on out of my life as I go through everything, which is a good feeling. I hate the whole thing of not wearing a clothing item for 5 years but still having that sentimental attachment when it's time to get rid of it. I'm really working on clothing for January though. It's going to go well. I've been pretty good about going through stuff this last month and first stint of January though.

8. Gratefulness.

The friends that I truly cherish and that truly cherish me are a dime a dozen and I am eternally grateful for that. - Amen.

9. Handmade.

Whose idea was it to do about 20 homemade gifts for Christmas? I'm still working on gifts, but everyone has their I.O.U's and they will get them as they are made this next year. I have really enjoyed this one though. It's a whole different perspective trying to decide what someone would like and then taking the time to make it.

10. Intentionality.

'Long distance friendships are hard. I also feel like most of my friends are long distance now. Real world, I'm not your biggest fan.' - Still ringing true, but I have hope for 2013 being a bit different. The real world has caused me to get in touch with some old friends which I have definitely enjoyed.

11. No.

I think I finally have conquered this one more than I thought that I would have by now. I'm counting that as a success.

12. Word.

Difficult.


Now that 2012 is over what's in store for 2013? Nothing y'all. I am making absolutely zero resolutions. I think I'm going to be a lot better at that than trying to conquer 12. 

Thank you 2012 and here's to a great 2013!

12 for 12 November Update

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 October Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

Remember that To Read List? I finished Quitting Church so they're still getting crossed off. I've got less than a month left and a ton of books to still read. We'll see...

2. 5K.

I signed up for the 5K! Running it may not be a possibility with zero training since I am in no way a runner, but I'm going to try my best and eat cookies! I mean... run.

3. Quotes.

'I can't say that I'm even 100% positive that I know where my quote notebook is.' Sadly, this statement is still true months later.

4. Blog.

I think this one got better until my 12 for 12 was late.

5. Create.

I feel like I've made stuff but I can't remember. That's got to be a bad thing unless they're Christmas presents.

6. Learn.

Transition is hard... even months afterwards.

7. Minimize.

It's going.

8. Gratefulness.

The friends that I truly cherish and that truly cherish me are a dime a dozen and I am eternally grateful for that.

9. Handmade.

Hehe. I have decided that I won't be doing this again next year.

10. Intentionality.

'Long distance friendships are hard. I also feel like most of my friends are long distance now. Real world, I'm not your biggest fan.' - Still ringing true.

11. No.

Not applicable.

12. Word.

Difficult.

Quitting Church

If you're not aware, I'm drastically behind in reading and finishing my To Read List. I'm trying to play a bit of catch up, but it will be okay if I don't make it. In fact, I know I'm not going to make it, but I've at least tried.

One of the books on the list is Julia Duin's Quitting Church. I have been reading this on and off for several years. It's a tough read. I'm not sure if it's tough because of the content that ranges from controlling pastors to house churches to gender roles within the church or that it is tough because it resonates in my heart so much.

I'd say check it out. It's tough. It's not a sit down and read through the whole thing kind of book. It's written by a Christian journalists filled with statistics, interviews and personal anecdotes. You can see it on Amazon here as well as read some reviews. Whether you like it or would rather leave it, there is definitely a challenge for the church today and for the souls of us who are going. (Plus, right now it's pretty cheap!)

'Fall Retreat 2012'

I've been thinking about Fall lately. It's my favorite season. I believe I am one of the few that genuinely love this season. We took a poll during all of our VBS Music Station groups this summer. I was the Lone Ranger standing at the end with Fall as my favorite season.

It's not just the colorful leaves and the advent of scarves that I love. Ever since before I was in sixth grade, I have been going on Fall Retreats. I have a ton of memories of these from moments around campfires to funny skits to great speakers.

This year is different though. This year I didn't have a Fall Retreat to attend with a church youth group. It's been a weird feeling. It's been a weird nagging at the back of my mind. It's okay though. I finally got my 'Fall Retreat 2012'.

I spent the past weekend driving across Texas and like most years, there was a terrific campfire, great speakers and laughter that could rival any skit. I spent approximately 10-11 hours driving across Texas listened to podcasts on my way to see my Forever Roommate, Christy and our friend Sara.

We ate more Mexican food in one weekend than Christy could probably stand, but my heart was fiercely in love with it and it was a pretty good exchange for being forced to watch Twilight. We made a campfire Saturday night and sunk our teeth into some well deserved s'mores.

Flannel, S'mores, Girl Talk, Laughter, Mexican Food, Jesus, Friendship, Fellowship. 
It was a 'Fall Retreat' to rival the best of Fall Retreats.

Y'all, I needed this. My heart longed for this. I'm so glad I got to see these two amazing women this weekend. May there be a Spring Retreat as well!

12 for 12 October Update

Need a flashback to the 12 for 12 September Update?

Twelve for Twelve 

1. Books.

If you're unsure where I am on the To Read List, just be assured that I haven't crossed anything else off. I have in fact added books to it as well as come so close on Quitting Church by Julia Duin that it isn't even funny. 3 chapters to go when November hit and I'm still not done on the 10th? Shameful.

2. 5K.

I have found a 5K to run. There's something about a 5K where you get to dress like Santa and they give you milk and cookies at the end that just makes it worth it. Now, if I just sign up...

3. Quotes.

'I can't say that I'm even 100% positive that I know where my quote notebook is.' Sadly, this statement is still true a month later.

4. Blog.

My love for all things pumpkin made it on the blog. WIN!

5. Create.

Pumpkin Mac & Cheese! Strawberry Brownies! New Coffee Recipes! Not too shabby of a month here.

6. Learn.

Transition is hard.

7. Minimize.

I'm still going through stuff. I need to get rid of a few things.

8. Gratefulness.

Heartbound.

9. Handmade.

I thought about preparing for Christmas gift season. My preparation stopped mainly after thinking. I have a few ideas though... :)

10. Intentionality.

Long distance friendships are hard. I also feel like most of my friends are long distance now. Real world, I'm not your biggest fan.

11. No.

Success.

12. Word.

Transition.