Just another reason why I love Fridays, and my dad :)
Happy Friday :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
9/16/11
Adventures with the BFF
Today my dad took me to lunch at Jimmy Johns. While we were eating he looks up and points to the UPS guy that had just grabbed a sandwich and says, "Look someone is having their sandwich Fed-Exed to them!" When I pointed out that it was a UPS uniform he quickly responds, "I wonder if the Fed-Ex guy knows the UPS man has his sandwich!"
Just another reason why I love Fridays, and my dad :)
Happy Friday :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Just another reason why I love Fridays, and my dad :)
Happy Friday :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
9/14/11
Lovely Wednesday
_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
So today I am wanting to throw a couple things out here to show you whats inspiring me today (or just making my day lovely) First of all...
This awesome tutorial. How many times have I seen a painting or a print in Good will and tried to imagine how on earth I would use it to decorate. Well, the answer is to make an amazing piece of song lyrics wall art :)
Next up is Pinterest. This site can steal my entire day if I'm not careful... Its one giant virtual pinboard for you to sort, browse and organize things that you like, inspire you or just flat out fall in love with. It makes my heart happy everytime I log in :)
The last one I'm gonna up on here today (even though there are hundreds of things that are making today rock) is the song "I Remember" by Devenra Banhart. With the weather being chilly and rainy outside, I am totally loving having such a chill soundtrack to work to. I found the "Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon" album from seeing the movie Daydream Nation. The song "Bad Girl" caught my attention and thanks to sound hound I had the album purchased and downloaded before the movie was over. I love it when I'm able to find new music that completely calms me.
Hope you're having a great Wednesday :) almost to the weekend!
9/13/11
Black and White
I receive the Relevant Magazine weekly email and I really enjoy and appreciate the different approach they have in researching and interviewing for their magazine. If you haven't checked em out- I highly recommend it. Today I opened the email and something really caught my eye. Their article on "The Problem with Black and White Thinking" by Ed Gungor made me think again about how different members of the church body appoint themselves to being the religious police. That's exactly what it becomes- religion. Not relationship, not mentoring- it turns into having a holier than thou attitude and thinking you know the motives and intentions of someonelse's heart. Now granted some think that they are saving their brother or sister in Christ from damnation. There are certain guidelines the Bible has drawn out for us in approaching this, but most of the time is trying to be nosey and thinking you know whats best. It's living by the old testament law instead of by love and by grace.
Here is a small excerpt from the article:
"A lot of people believe they have figured out exactly what each Christian should do and not do. Using a few proof-texts from Scripture (and lots of deduction) they tell us what to wear, who to vote for, what music to listen to, what words we can use and not use, how physical we can get in our dating relationships, what to eat, what kind of underwear to wear and whether or not we can have a beer and the occasional cigar. They have the world parsed out into neat absolute do’s and don’ts—of which they feel committed to keep the rest of us informed about. The world is black-and-white simple for them.
The problem is the world really isn't all that black and white—it's jammed with lots of grays and splashed with millions of colors."
I'm not condoning sin, but I'm also not condoning the religious spirit that doesn't allow you to enjoy anything in life lest you sin. What I am talking about is accountability and the biggie- taking responsibility for your actions. "Color is always more complex than black and white. When it comes to propagating truth and disciplining people into the Christian faith, most spiritual leaders prefer black-and-white simplicity and resist complexity. Complexity is too colorful. We prefer doling out black-and-white conclusions. Telling people what seems so much simpler and safer than telling them why. " Sure it's easier to tell someone not to go and sleep around instead of explaining to them the bond that God has created for couples (just one example).
This issue is so hard to navigate through, but that's exactly why people tend to avoid it. That's why there is black and white thinking. It's not easy to think in color and our own personal prejudices don't go down with out a fight. I grew up in an Assembly of God church that had a hard time trying to love people when they weren't following their dress code or listening to their radio station. They thought it was their job to tell everyone where they were going wrong.
We can put ourselves and our beliefs up on a pedestal but I don't think we are going to be wanting to do that for very long when it's our turn to be judged. I still have a hard time sometimes breaking out of that religious box to reach people. But something that always is on my mind is Christ didn't go around saying you have to wear certain clothes or talk a certain way for me to love you. He came to show us the truth, not to give us all the same buzz cut and make us all act like robots. Lord renew our thinking and our motives.
Here is a small excerpt from the article:
"A lot of people believe they have figured out exactly what each Christian should do and not do. Using a few proof-texts from Scripture (and lots of deduction) they tell us what to wear, who to vote for, what music to listen to, what words we can use and not use, how physical we can get in our dating relationships, what to eat, what kind of underwear to wear and whether or not we can have a beer and the occasional cigar. They have the world parsed out into neat absolute do’s and don’ts—of which they feel committed to keep the rest of us informed about. The world is black-and-white simple for them.
The problem is the world really isn't all that black and white—it's jammed with lots of grays and splashed with millions of colors."
I'm not condoning sin, but I'm also not condoning the religious spirit that doesn't allow you to enjoy anything in life lest you sin. What I am talking about is accountability and the biggie- taking responsibility for your actions. "Color is always more complex than black and white. When it comes to propagating truth and disciplining people into the Christian faith, most spiritual leaders prefer black-and-white simplicity and resist complexity. Complexity is too colorful. We prefer doling out black-and-white conclusions. Telling people what seems so much simpler and safer than telling them why. " Sure it's easier to tell someone not to go and sleep around instead of explaining to them the bond that God has created for couples (just one example).
This issue is so hard to navigate through, but that's exactly why people tend to avoid it. That's why there is black and white thinking. It's not easy to think in color and our own personal prejudices don't go down with out a fight. I grew up in an Assembly of God church that had a hard time trying to love people when they weren't following their dress code or listening to their radio station. They thought it was their job to tell everyone where they were going wrong.
We can put ourselves and our beliefs up on a pedestal but I don't think we are going to be wanting to do that for very long when it's our turn to be judged. I still have a hard time sometimes breaking out of that religious box to reach people. But something that always is on my mind is Christ didn't go around saying you have to wear certain clothes or talk a certain way for me to love you. He came to show us the truth, not to give us all the same buzz cut and make us all act like robots. Lord renew our thinking and our motives.
9/12/11
Monday Morning
Technically it's not morning but I've been singing this Death Cab For Cutie song all day so it seemed appropriate.
Ya know for a Monday it hasn't been so bad. Work went alright and I had the opportunity to spend some time with a good friend and someone I consider a mentor in my life. My best friend's mom is like a second mom to me. She is someone I can be myself with and I always have a good time with. And she and her husband take care of me like another pair of parents :)
As I'm winding down tonite I have to stop and thank God for the people like this that he has put in my life. They have helped shape my life and been there whenever I have needed them.
So as I sit here drinking my yummy banana pb smoothie I'm thanking God a little extra tonite.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Ya know for a Monday it hasn't been so bad. Work went alright and I had the opportunity to spend some time with a good friend and someone I consider a mentor in my life. My best friend's mom is like a second mom to me. She is someone I can be myself with and I always have a good time with. And she and her husband take care of me like another pair of parents :)
As I'm winding down tonite I have to stop and thank God for the people like this that he has put in my life. They have helped shape my life and been there whenever I have needed them.
So as I sit here drinking my yummy banana pb smoothie I'm thanking God a little extra tonite.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
9/9/11
Because it's Friday...
Fridays can bring a few unfortunate things but for the most part, they are absolutely amazing :)
This morning driving to work I had to stop and wait for the train again. See me and the train have a very abusive relationship... Every time I am proud of myself for almost being to work on time (my work building is literally on the other side of the tracks) the train ALWAYS holds me up and makes me late. And if it's a really lucky day it will come to a stop on the tracks, blocking the light and the crossing. Because the conductors hate me (they're probably Yankee fans). Today I was 15 minutes early and so excited because I have been late everyday this week... Well happy Friday Brianna! Train comes. I decided to be ok with it and catch up with all the facebook updates my phone had been yelling at me about. As I start typing static is coming over the radio that I had turned down. I turn it up and a knot starts forming in my stomach... The radio station has started playing 9/11 clips from NYC radio stations. Here I am thinking I'm being so patient with that train and they're rebroadcasting this tragedy that brought me to the verge of tears.
It put it into perspective for me. I'm sure that a lot of people are going to be feeling this way this weekend- I can't even imagine how the responders, families and survivors all will be feeling. But I believe that God was trying to remind me of all the blessings I have. And I am so thankful for the life I have today. Hearing the calls from people that had family in the towers and on those planes sobered my horrible attitude right up. My heart breaks for that city, and for everyone that it affected. Among the millions of people doing the same, I stop and remember how that school day felt, how confused I was because no one knew how to explain what was and what had happened. Ten years ago, wow. Listening to those clips made it seem like it could have happened last year.
When I woke up this morning I was just happy that it was Friday. I was just happy that my second job wrapped itself up last night. I was just happy that I had another 30 minutes to sleep. Now I am overwhelmed with gratitude and so thankful for the BLESSED and protected life I have been given. Lord thank you for reminding me to be grateful. I don't take the life I've been given for granted. I never want to do that. I'm alive and I have my family and friends. I have a job and I have bills to pay. That may sound like a weird thing to be thankful for, especially on days when I tell myself how much I hate my job or when I daydream about the things I could have spent all that money on that I used to pay those dreadful bills, but today I choose to be thankful for the responsibilities and the growing I have to do. I am so thankful for the friends that sing to me every Friday and for their saftey. I am thankful for my family, especially the ones that save me from the spiders and pack me a lunch in a transformers lunch box. I have been given and blessed with so much.
God thank you for the days you remind me how much I have and how much you have given me to help others. I am incredibly humbled today.
This morning driving to work I had to stop and wait for the train again. See me and the train have a very abusive relationship... Every time I am proud of myself for almost being to work on time (my work building is literally on the other side of the tracks) the train ALWAYS holds me up and makes me late. And if it's a really lucky day it will come to a stop on the tracks, blocking the light and the crossing. Because the conductors hate me (they're probably Yankee fans). Today I was 15 minutes early and so excited because I have been late everyday this week... Well happy Friday Brianna! Train comes. I decided to be ok with it and catch up with all the facebook updates my phone had been yelling at me about. As I start typing static is coming over the radio that I had turned down. I turn it up and a knot starts forming in my stomach... The radio station has started playing 9/11 clips from NYC radio stations. Here I am thinking I'm being so patient with that train and they're rebroadcasting this tragedy that brought me to the verge of tears.
It put it into perspective for me. I'm sure that a lot of people are going to be feeling this way this weekend- I can't even imagine how the responders, families and survivors all will be feeling. But I believe that God was trying to remind me of all the blessings I have. And I am so thankful for the life I have today. Hearing the calls from people that had family in the towers and on those planes sobered my horrible attitude right up. My heart breaks for that city, and for everyone that it affected. Among the millions of people doing the same, I stop and remember how that school day felt, how confused I was because no one knew how to explain what was and what had happened. Ten years ago, wow. Listening to those clips made it seem like it could have happened last year.
When I woke up this morning I was just happy that it was Friday. I was just happy that my second job wrapped itself up last night. I was just happy that I had another 30 minutes to sleep. Now I am overwhelmed with gratitude and so thankful for the BLESSED and protected life I have been given. Lord thank you for reminding me to be grateful. I don't take the life I've been given for granted. I never want to do that. I'm alive and I have my family and friends. I have a job and I have bills to pay. That may sound like a weird thing to be thankful for, especially on days when I tell myself how much I hate my job or when I daydream about the things I could have spent all that money on that I used to pay those dreadful bills, but today I choose to be thankful for the responsibilities and the growing I have to do. I am so thankful for the friends that sing to me every Friday and for their saftey. I am thankful for my family, especially the ones that save me from the spiders and pack me a lunch in a transformers lunch box. I have been given and blessed with so much.
God thank you for the days you remind me how much I have and how much you have given me to help others. I am incredibly humbled today.
8/29/11
Trying to Shake that Feeling
Lately I've had a hard time shaking the feeling that I'm not where I am supposed to be. I've had this feeling for a while now, but whenever I try to leave something keeps me here. I don't want the fear of failing or being alone in the next step of my life to hold me back, but I won't lie and say that doing it all on my own doesn't scare the heck outta me. It's hard to be bold and leave everything I know when the direction I'm supposed to go isn't clear to me. And when I know I don't want to be alone. I've been struggling with where I thought my life would be at this time one year ago. I definitely didn't think I would be trying to figuring this out on my own. It's been discouraging, this feeling of being unsure of my place and my direction. But reading passage tonight lifted my burdens- even if it was just for tonight- it comforted me.
Psalms 143:8-10
" 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing."
V8 reminds me that every morning I need to ask God to guide me and remind me of His love. It sounds ridiculous but it can be easily forgotten how loved we are.
V9 is a cry for help. No I don't have any out right enemies- besides myself doubt. There is no quicker way for me to become lost then when I get lost in the things that have hurt me or that I failed at. I said earlier that I am not where I thought I would be at a year ago. This is one of the biggest things I get stuck dwelling on mainly because the hopes I had for myself were raised high and I didn't get what I thought I was promised and deserved. I thought I knew where my life was going and I thought I knew what God was wanting for my life. I was wrong and I had a hard time accepting that I wasn't going to get the life that I wanted. The only one that can comfort me from that feeling of loss is God. He hides me and saves me from that.
V10 brings me to the realization that he has to be my teacher. I don't know what is going to come to me in life but he can teach and lead me in how I am to learn and grow from it all. But I have to let him lead me, and I have to have faith and firm belief in Him. I cannot bear to doubt Him or His word.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Psalms 143:8-10
" 8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I run to you to hide me.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
on a firm footing."
V8 reminds me that every morning I need to ask God to guide me and remind me of His love. It sounds ridiculous but it can be easily forgotten how loved we are.
V9 is a cry for help. No I don't have any out right enemies- besides myself doubt. There is no quicker way for me to become lost then when I get lost in the things that have hurt me or that I failed at. I said earlier that I am not where I thought I would be at a year ago. This is one of the biggest things I get stuck dwelling on mainly because the hopes I had for myself were raised high and I didn't get what I thought I was promised and deserved. I thought I knew where my life was going and I thought I knew what God was wanting for my life. I was wrong and I had a hard time accepting that I wasn't going to get the life that I wanted. The only one that can comfort me from that feeling of loss is God. He hides me and saves me from that.
V10 brings me to the realization that he has to be my teacher. I don't know what is going to come to me in life but he can teach and lead me in how I am to learn and grow from it all. But I have to let him lead me, and I have to have faith and firm belief in Him. I cannot bear to doubt Him or His word.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
8/26/11
Fridays
Sometimes the simplest things can make my day... Like the fact that it's a Friday. On and tomato soup with grilled cheese :) all have made my day today.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
8/22/11
Promises
Life Journal Post
Jeremiah 19:13 "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."
When your hope is renewed, your attitude is changed. Today my attitude was changed again. This promise of seek and you will find encourages me today. Wholeheartedly is a word that (to me) means your thinking and your motives are consumed with looking. When you pursue Him with everything you have- you aren't going to be disappointed.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Jeremiah 19:13 "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."
When your hope is renewed, your attitude is changed. Today my attitude was changed again. This promise of seek and you will find encourages me today. Wholeheartedly is a word that (to me) means your thinking and your motives are consumed with looking. When you pursue Him with everything you have- you aren't going to be disappointed.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sweet Summertime
August is quickly leaving but this weekend felt like summer. One of my best friends came with me to my cabin and we spent the weekend just hanging out and having a great time together. It was one of the first times in a while that I felt like myself again. On top of it all, we went to a church service that left me still feeling refreshed today, man I've missed that. And I will still say that my family's cabin is still my favorite place on Earth... with Fenway being a close second :)
Graffiti behind an old closed business back home.
Summertime shades
Honeybear :)
Some delicious pizza
On the way to the cabin I saw this row of mailboxes on a dirt road
S'mores!
And our sweet temporary tattoos :)
Graffiti behind an old closed business back home.
Summertime shades
Honeybear :)
Some delicious pizza
On the way to the cabin I saw this row of mailboxes on a dirt road
S'mores!
And our sweet temporary tattoos :)
8/10/11
The Perfect Weekend
It's been quite a while since I've updated this but life has been so busy that I just haven't made time for this- although I have been preparing a post. I will finally put it up here :)
This summer I had the opportunity to be in the city of champions with my Dad, not only for Father's day, but also for one of the biggest celebrations I've ever seen. This was the year one of my biggest dreams came true. My dad and I went to Fenway (a place that has been a Mecca for me) for the Red Sox games during Father's Day weekend. It just so happened that right before we went the Bruins won the Stanley Cup and we got to witness the celebration parade and continued party at Fenway. I don't think there could have been a more amazing, magical and appropriate weekend for us to be there. Well maybe if the Sox were playing in the world series but hey that's just another one on the bucket list right?
I hate to cry, but I cried that weekend. I cried when I got to Yawkey Way. I cried when the entire stadium stood on their feet, threw their arms around one another and began to sing "Take me out the the Ballgame" and "Sweet Caroline". And I cried when they played "Dirty Water" on Sunday after we won. And I cried the hardest when it was time to leave.
I stood in awe when all of the Bruins threw the first pitch to the all of the Red Sox- it was like a supernatural experience- these two teams that have the praise of such a loyal fleet of fans. And I jumped to my feet and screamed my lungs out when Youk hit that home run on top of the monster Sunday afternoon. I clapped until my hands hurt when I got to see Wakefield retire batter after batter back to the dug out. When I looked at the scoreboard on Sunday and saw we had SIX runs in only the first inning, my heart filled with such a joy. And I sang at the top of my lungs and swayed from side to side with my Daddy when "Sweet Caroline" came on. It was all so amazing. I've never been in a building that made me feel like I was walking through history, I felt like I was walking on holy ground. Ha, I felt closer to God in that building than I have in almost any church I've been in- but don't tell my mom that- it would be heresy to her. And I was fortunate enough to get to see all of this with one of my favorite people ever.
My Dad and the Red Sox go hand in hand for me. When they beat the Yankees and went on to reverse the curse in 2004, words cannot express that feeling I had when we hugged and celebrated. When I was away at school I would call home and when the small talk was done with we would talk about the Red Sox. When they won the 2007 World Series we were both so excited, I almost cried when I called him to talk about it. When we went to games at other stadiums this man made the baseball experience for me. Going to Fenway with my dad has been one of my dreams since I was about 10- I fell in love with the Red Sox when I was about 8 (when I started to really understand the beauty of having a team) and even a team that hadn't won in so long. They taught me so much. They taught me loyalty even when they crushed your heart. They taught me that patience is rewarded.
When I decided a while back I wanted to make my pilgrimage to Fenway, it was only right that my first time there HAD to be with him- the man that taught me to love them. The guy that would smile and quote the players, the guy that would teach me the phrase "stinkin yankees" (might as well had been cursing)- That guy took me there this year. I've begged him a number of times. I've had the opportunity to go a few other times too, but he wasn't up for the trip those other times. I thought we would never go. This year that changed and waiting for this weekend couldn't have been a better thing. I wouldn't have been able to experience that electricity that shot throughout the crowd when the Stanley Cup was being hoisted over our heads at the parade. I wouldn't have been able to hear the screamed chants and cheers of the crowds when the team took to the warning track in the Duck Boats. I wouldn't have been able to shout at the top of my lungs "WE WON THE CUP" every time they showed the highlight plays on that board in center-field. I wouldn't have been able to clap when they played the Bruins bullhorn and song every time the Sox got a run. And that was just the hockey stuff. I was just speechless in that city. A city with four teams that have all brought home at least one championship in this last decade for their fans. The pride in that city made you want to be from there. It made me want to stay there forever. Boston you stole my heart.
I hate to cry, but I cried that weekend. I cried when I got to Yawkey Way. I cried when the entire stadium stood on their feet, threw their arms around one another and began to sing "Take me out the the Ballgame" and "Sweet Caroline". And I cried when they played "Dirty Water" on Sunday after we won. And I cried the hardest when it was time to leave.
I stood in awe when all of the Bruins threw the first pitch to the all of the Red Sox- it was like a supernatural experience- these two teams that have the praise of such a loyal fleet of fans. And I jumped to my feet and screamed my lungs out when Youk hit that home run on top of the monster Sunday afternoon. I clapped until my hands hurt when I got to see Wakefield retire batter after batter back to the dug out. When I looked at the scoreboard on Sunday and saw we had SIX runs in only the first inning, my heart filled with such a joy. And I sang at the top of my lungs and swayed from side to side with my Daddy when "Sweet Caroline" came on. It was all so amazing. I've never been in a building that made me feel like I was walking through history, I felt like I was walking on holy ground. Ha, I felt closer to God in that building than I have in almost any church I've been in- but don't tell my mom that- it would be heresy to her. And I was fortunate enough to get to see all of this with one of my favorite people ever.
My Dad and the Red Sox go hand in hand for me. When they beat the Yankees and went on to reverse the curse in 2004, words cannot express that feeling I had when we hugged and celebrated. When I was away at school I would call home and when the small talk was done with we would talk about the Red Sox. When they won the 2007 World Series we were both so excited, I almost cried when I called him to talk about it. When we went to games at other stadiums this man made the baseball experience for me. Going to Fenway with my dad has been one of my dreams since I was about 10- I fell in love with the Red Sox when I was about 8 (when I started to really understand the beauty of having a team) and even a team that hadn't won in so long. They taught me so much. They taught me loyalty even when they crushed your heart. They taught me that patience is rewarded.
When I decided a while back I wanted to make my pilgrimage to Fenway, it was only right that my first time there HAD to be with him- the man that taught me to love them. The guy that would smile and quote the players, the guy that would teach me the phrase "stinkin yankees" (might as well had been cursing)- That guy took me there this year. I've begged him a number of times. I've had the opportunity to go a few other times too, but he wasn't up for the trip those other times. I thought we would never go. This year that changed and waiting for this weekend couldn't have been a better thing. I wouldn't have been able to experience that electricity that shot throughout the crowd when the Stanley Cup was being hoisted over our heads at the parade. I wouldn't have been able to hear the screamed chants and cheers of the crowds when the team took to the warning track in the Duck Boats. I wouldn't have been able to shout at the top of my lungs "WE WON THE CUP" every time they showed the highlight plays on that board in center-field. I wouldn't have been able to clap when they played the Bruins bullhorn and song every time the Sox got a run. And that was just the hockey stuff. I was just speechless in that city. A city with four teams that have all brought home at least one championship in this last decade for their fans. The pride in that city made you want to be from there. It made me want to stay there forever. Boston you stole my heart.
I had the hardest time leaving that place. I felt like I belonged there. The day after I got home I started looking up jobs and apartments there. It was funny to hear people ask me how it felt to be home after my trip because I haven't felt home since I got on that airplane to come back. Every bit of me wants to be back there. Every game I see on the TV or hear on the radio makes me miss being in those seats at Fenway. I want to go back- and I plan on making it my home. No not just because of the Red Sox, but because the feel of that city- it just felt right. It was fast paced, but you could take your time. I don't know if that makes sense but it just felt right.
I may not be there right now, but I am so happy I could go. I am so thankful for my dad and how much he loves me and the Sox. It was a perfect weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)