By this time last year, I had devoured plenty of books. It was an unquenchable desire to read and read....and a bit melancholy when the book was over (not true for EVERY book, but almost). This year, I cannot for the life of me get into reading. A dry spell. I've tried. I have 6 pages of books on my kindle that I haven't read. No first page has hooked me into read past the first few pages.
I've missed reading terribly and I wondered if the books stunk or if I was booked out. Maybe I just needed a break.
That was the thought until I picked up RoaldDahl's Matilda!! OMG! If you haven't read it, YOU SHOULD. Sure it's a kiddy book, but you should still read it.
You're still not sure?
Well, let me give you a short excerpt:
It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful. Some parents go further. They become so blinded by adoration they manage to convince themselves their child has qualities of genius. Well, there is nothing wrong with all this. It's the way of the world. It is only when the parents begin telling us about the brilliance of their own revolting offspring that we start shouting, "Bring us a basin! We're going to be sick!"
It goes on! And it's had me laugh out loud more than once! Maybe that's what I needed. I laugh. I've DEVOURED it!
I'm considering reading the rest of RoaldDahl's collection. Maybe even work on getting all his books in my library. That would be LOVELY!
I'm a city girl who wishes the stars were more visible in the night sky like they are in the country. I wish I could sit on my roof and gaze...hear nothing except the beating of my own heart. I don't want to clear out manure, or ride a tractor to mow the lawn, or stack hay bails, or drive an hour to the nearest shopping center. All I want from the country life is the STARS (okay - and the quiet too!)
The weather has been perfect...not to hot, not to cold - like April 25!
I just wanted to say: I CAN SEE THE STARS IN THE CITY SKY!
Taking in a deep breath and thanking God for a clear spring nights.
*Name the two movies I made references to! Easy Peasy!! *I miss blogging. Shutting down just means I haven't really had anything to share per se...
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.
Isaiah 30:21
Sometimes, I would like for someone to make decisions for me so I wouldn't be the one responsible for whatever happens next. Yes, I believe that God directs are steps, that He is almighty and sovereign. At the same time, I will be the first to admit that lately I'm terrified to take a step.
What the H am I walking into? What in the world will my life look like if I step in this or that direction? What will I miss if I don't walk this way or that way? What will I have to let go of? What will I gain/lose? What hats will I be wearing here or there?
The questions are forever long.
At one point the direction was clear...and it turns out that now it isn't so clear. Why isn't it? Is it a distraction? Is it a closing door? Is it the pressure to build character (sweeter wine)? Why do I feel SCARED to go in either direction?
There's a hymn that says: Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
The thing is that I don't know what direction is "obedience."
I've asked for wisdom. I've sought counsel. The only response I get is: It's between you and the Lord. Only you know what He's asking you to do.
It's like when I ask for advice from a superior colleagues after trying all the tricks I know...they say: You're the professional in the classroom. Only you know what's best for your students.
I would just like to scream from the rooftops:
I DON"T KNOW!!! (I DON'T KNOW!!!)
All I know right now is this:
I am praying and asking for direction and I still feel so STUCK.
I am exhausted. Like seriously, I want to cry like a kid without his nap.
I have A LOT going on.
I know I'm not the first person to be in this situation.
With all that being said, God is still on His throne and the world will continue to spin. I will be okay, but this waiting and indecision is killing me softly...
Tell them you have a GPS tracking device that you haven't activated because you want to give them a chance to turn it in. Once you turn it on, the police will start looking for it. Tell them you don't actually know who took it, but if they could help you find it they'll receive the reward for tracking it down.
I'm giving them a week before my GPS "activates." Then, I'll let their own imaginations give them nightmares.
Praying I get it back. I'm having serious iPhone withdrawals.
I do. His name is Langston Hughes. I've admired his work since my sophomore year in high school after my English teacher, standing on her desk, recited A Dream Deferred.
This one is one I came across today! It made me smile.
Harlem Night Song
Come, Let us roam the night together Singing.
I love you.
Across The Harlem roff-tops Moon is shining. Night sky is blue. Stars are great drops Of golden dew.
It was just that! It was a whirl wind!! I neglected this blog quite a bit! But I have plans to turn that around.
So what was accomplished this year? I ran two half marathons. I got to go to Guatemala for a month this summer. I found my niche in teaching - 4th grade ESL! I paid off my credit card debt! ON TO THE STUDENT LOANS! The traditions we have as a family were totally awesome this year! It's like we all craved it and made sure it happened...right down to the punch with sherbet at Christmas!! :o)
I didn't accomplish weight training or braces...there was NO PLAN! And my 30 before 30 list is pretty much out the window...again no plan. But perhaps I'll do a daring 40 before 40 list. HAHAHA...10 years to accomplish WORLD PEACE!
This was the best year EVER! This coming year I'm turning 30 and I have a feeling it will be even better!! I really can't wait!! 30 is going to be my new 25! I loved 25.
So...moving along to the NEW YEAR!
HAPPY 2012! The Year of Going Back to Basics!
It seems like the older I get the more time flies. And the more I think I should simply. I also think a lot about how important it is to declare that Jesus is my life more publicly. Sure, everyone that knows me knows this about me. What you may not know is that sometimes I really struggle with even going to church...or reading my bible...or praying. It SUCKS! Because as much as it is a struggle, I know that JESUS is my TRUE source of JOY in my life. Maybe I'll share my testimony some time on this Delightful Surprises...
This year, rather than thinking about simplifying and prioritizing, the plan is to actually DO IT! So what does that mean or even look like? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I have some things in mind.
Here's what I have to set the tone for the year...
THEME VERSE for 2012:
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.
-Hebrews 12:1-2 THEME PICTURE for 2012:
THEME SONG for 2012:
GOALS for 2012:
Read my Bible daily. Okay, so I've had this app on my phone for a while, but I HAD NO IDEA that it has different plans to read the Bible in various ways (like reading in 90 days or a year). So, as you read following one of these plans, it shows your progress on this little bar...I'm so excited, because not only do I want to read my Bible, but I also like progress. So not only will I have intangible rewards, I'll also have a little bar that will say: "Mims, you're making progress!" :o) On a serious note, I think one of the problems I have is that my LOVE for literature often has me overlook the BOOK. I'm missing out on the perspective, direction, guidance it gives. Does this mean that I won't be reading other books for fun? Absolutely not. It just means that I want to make sure to read my Bible...INTENTIONALLY!
Less time on Facebook and Pinterest. This is HUGE. Like ENORMOUSLY huge. I've noticed that I am not as creative as I know that I can be. And I've also noticed my absorption to FB and Pinterest...almost to the point of neglecting the people I have around me. Not to mention wasting lots of time. In order to accomplish this, I deactivated my FB account and removed both the FB and Pinterest apps from my phone. COLD TURKEY! So I suppose this is to be more intentional with my time, things and people around me rather than checking status updates and things I could possibly do instead of actually doing them.
This one is something I used to do...that I miss. And you may laugh. It's kind of silly...But here it is...I want to make my bed every morning. (insert bashful face) There's a discipline that I've lost along the way. I'm not sure why? Maybe waking up too late and rushing out the door? Like I said...I'm going back to BASICS!
I would like to run one half-marathon. I haven't been running very much. I don't know if it's possible to go back, but I want to do it. I have a race in mind, but I'll reserve the date for later.
Lay off the lists. I love lists! I do, but sometimes I like them so much that they paralyze me. I want to be a bit more spontaneous.
Significantly decrease the Student Loan Debt. I really wanted to finish by my 30th birthday, but it'll probably happen for my 31st which is just fine. I really can't wait!!
Braces? I'm such a wimp when it comes to pain....and I hear this hurts!!
That's all folks. I hope you've had a great start to the year!
