An Adventure with Saki

So this morning Saki and I set out to play golf at 7am, yes that means we got up before 6am on a holiday. We haven't played in a while and were very excited. We headed to a course we haven't been to before in Hillsboro. We set out with our directions and unfortunately, they lead - yes to the middle of a farm. We went off roading in Saki's dodge neon and on our adventure we saw a llama, a rabbit, a deer, and lots of cows. We never found the golf course and it took us about 45 minutes to find our way back to Chapel Hill where we decided to just go have breakfast. One of those times where life did not turn out how you thought it would, but a funny and pleasent experience none the less. I did discover that the backwoods of Hillsboro reminds me alot of home and our farm so that was fun too.

Also, I am think about and praying for the people in the path of Gustav and the people who have left their homes.

Tip of My Heart

This Bebo Norman song was sang at church this morning and I think it says it all about where most of us are in trying to be what God wants us to be, no matter where we are in life.

"It's on the tip of my heart, the words to say
But I fall apart and I walk away
There's an angry world pressed against my back
And at every turn I keep looking back
And I know you promise me
Love through eternity
So why can't I just hold on

I want to live, I want to love
But I'm afraid my simple faith will never be enough
I want to laugh, I want to be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
But I don't know where to start
It's on the tip of my heart

So would you take my hand, because I'm sinking in
To this life I've made, but don't understand
The clock moves so slowly, but time goes so fast
In this whirlwind world that will never last
This love you're giving me
It's not just make believe
Help me just to hold one
You open the sky, and open my eyes
And all my fears are scattered away
So I walk in grace, because I've seen your face
You are all that matters to me

So I'm gonna live, I'm gonna love
I'm not afraid because your grace will always be enough
I'm gonna laugh, I'm gonna be set free
And let you hold all that my soul has deep inside of me
You have shown me where to start
It's on the tip of my heart"

Anniversary Number Two!

So, Jason and I spent our second anniversary hiking up a mountain and having lunch on the peak. It was so much fun, and tiring too. We meet some nice people on the hike, but we did have a great time! We also went for a walk around a lake in the area following our anniversary dinner at an English Pub (yummy!). Marriage is such a blessing. It really is. Jason and I have so much fun together and this trip was just another reminder of how blessed we are.

Vacation is almost here

So I am very excited that there are only 4 more summer school classes left to teach and then a little vacation time! With my comprehensive exams, teaching, writing, and working on a grant, I haven't really had much of a break so I am looking forward to it. We are going down to visit the fam in Alabama and the to Blowing Rock, NC and the mountains for hiking, biking, and relaxing. This summer has been so busy, but good and I am hoping there are more good things to come!

America the Beautiful

Yes it is July 5th, but I was reading the words to America the Beautiful today and thought how unfortunate we never get to the 2nd and 3rd verses of the song. This song is not about a prideful nation who seeks to be a world power but about a nation built on humility, self-control, and mercy. What beautiful words that truly are patriotic, no matter how you choose to define patriotism- they involve love of God, love of others, and treating others as you would like to be treated....sound familiar? I wrote the second and third verses down and they are not hanging over my desk. It is a prayer for myself as well as this country as I am sure Katharine Lee Bates (she wrote America the Beautiful) would want us to read and remember not just the first verse. Below are the first 3 verses...there are more but the first three just really spoke to me this weekend :

" O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! "

Analytical?

Well, life is good. I am back from most of my summer travels and just get to be home.  Being at home is now like a vacation to me.  I am a person of routine and love the daily things life brings my way.  I however have realized how analytical, well over analytical I am when it comes to conversations with other people.  Making a mountain out of a mole hill (as the old saying goes) is no problem for me.  But in the over analysis, I realize the over analysis and have discovered if I sit back and think about it, most things are rarely worth working about.  Jason will laugh as he reads this as he is constantly assuring me everything will be ok.  

Well, that's about it for today, but the trips this summer were fun.  I got to see a lot of old and wonderful friends, make new friends, and visit with my family and also spend some time with Jason.  Now summer school is in session and we are both teaching, working towards the dissertations, and living life.  Who nows what life will bring, but God will be with us each step of the way.

Family

Family is amazing and spending time with my family has reminded me of how wonderful and special family really is.  Being in Slocomb for an extended period of time has been refreshing and reminded me of the values and appreciation for life growing up here afforded me.  It has also allowed me to just enjoy my mama, my daddy, and my sister.  Life is fully of blessings and family is certainly one of the greatest.