pastry heaven

Hello, Lusa's Pastry Café, 1120 North Lamar, Oxford, MS. If you haven't been, you should go. Tomorrow.

I've been camped out here the last several hours, reading Machiavelli's The Prince, searching the library's Methodist church databases, and looking up fútbol statistics for Barcelona and Real Madrid. (You wish you had my classes, don't you?)

I just might be able to handle my schoolwork if it means hanging out here all day.

carpe diem

"spring fever: n. a feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of spring."

Also known as what I am experiencing right now. My ability to concentrate is directly related to how sunny it is outside, and how green the grass is, and how many flowers are blooming. Currently, the sky is especially blue, the grass is especially green, and the tulips all over campus are especially beautiful. How exactly am I supposed to focus locked inside a classroom studying the Trail of Tears, Francisco Franco, Women in Literature, or Renaissance artists? (Ok, I might can make an exception for the Renaissance artists. Michelangelo is quite inspiring and lately I'm hooked on not only his art but his poetry...) Needless to say, I take that question - "how am I supposed to focus?" - and come to the only possible conclusion I can find. I'm not.

My advice to myself and to you? Play now, study later, soak up the sun, and sleep when you're dead. Stay outside as much as possible, except for when you're watching March Madness basketball games of course. Work when you must, but only when you must. It'll all get finished. It always does.

Just so you know, this spring fever thing might be legit. "Spring Fever Means Lighter Moods and More Love?" I think they might be on to something...

sbxi: scotland cay

When I was in third grade I was furious that I was a girl, because I wanted more than anything to be Jim from Treasure Island. He had all the good adventures in all of the good, exotic places. Thanks to my family and the Reed family, I finally got to experience some of my own tropical adventures this past week in the Bahamas. Here's an account of the week, complete with pictures.

Flew to Treasure Cay, then Scotland Cay. See this out the window the whole way.
Stayed here.
Fished for these.
Searched the beach for sea glass here.
Snorkeled with these people in a ridiculously cool coral reef.
Played with these in a lagoon.
Played on these in a lagoon.
Was amazed by how blue this water is.
Spent some quality time with these people.
I think I could get used to the island life...

statewide part 2/excellent day

"For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain." [Philippians 1:21]

I've heard this verse a thousand times, and I've really started to grasp the significance of it many of those times. But I realized the power of this verse again this weekend at Statewide thanks to Kristian Stanfill. In the midst of his singing, which by the way was excellent, he shared how this verse has been impacting his life lately. All week I keep coming back to Kristian's - or, essentially, Paul's - passionate words...

To live is Christ. That means that when we speak, it's Jesus. When we act, Jesus. What we do, Jesus. And if we die, it's gain, because we will be in Heaven with Jesus. Either way, in life or in death, we get Jesus. Jesus is our great reward. Do we know that, really? Do we realize that we get Jesus now, that we don't have to wait until later, and that death is nothing to fear? To live is Christ, to die is gain. This is powerful stuff.

Continuing to think about all of the things from this weekend has made for a very inspiring week. To top it all off, today has been filled with just about the best things ever. Begin with a cup of English Breakfast Tea and time in the Word. Next, Lusa's for breakfast with Lacey. Mostly sunshine and warmish weather outside. Anna finding out she gets to go to Romania and Emily finding out she's been placed in Malaysia. Then, dinner from Emileigh's at Orchard small group. Finally, Dr. Blakemore speaking at Wesley and lots of time to catch up with his son Jonathan, who has been my friend longer than just about anyone else in the world. Good times, and more are on the way with Samuel and Hallie's wedding weekend and Mom, Dad, and Laura coming tomorrow! Gosh, life is good. Life is chaotic, and messy, and too often frustrating, but when it all comes down to it, life is very, very good.

part 1 - statewide weekend overview

There is absolutely no way I can pack everything into one post, so I'm likely going to break it down into multiple. First, I'll hit some highlights and explain what's been going on. Statewide Wesley Foundation retreat was this weekend, and it was great. Amazingly challenging speakers, Kristian Stanfill leading worship, reunions with old friends, and forming relationships with new friends. As a totally added blessing, the retreat was at Timbercreek, which meant getting to see old friends/role models and enjoying nature in one of my favorite places. Needless to say, I am extremely rejuvenated and am once again floored by how much God blesses His children.

So many amazing things were said and sung over the course of the weekend - so many statements and questions and phrases resounding with truth from above. "God is relentless." "Stop being confused by your circumstances; God is a master craftsman." "There is a sycamore tree in your future...your purpose is your Zacchaeus." "God is relentless." "Be the widow." "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith upon the earth?" "Let Heaven roar and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sound of revival..."

So much to dig into and to drink deeply of in the coming days and weeks! I would love to share everything I learned this weekend but that would take up far too much space. I would love to post pictures but they're all on Eddie's camera so I don't have any yet. In light of the lack of time, space, and photos, I guess you'll just have to take my word for the fact that it was great, that God is great, and that He is moving in powerful ways.

Follow-up post(s) coming soon, so get excited, and enjoy the first day of March! Spring is in the air. :)