Team No Sleep

I was unable to fall asleep at my normal grandma hour of 10:00.  Our neighbors seemed to be jamming out to assorted Christian artists, which really.... there are alot worse things to complain about.  I tried to fall asleep anyway, but I could literally hear every word of Jamie Grace's new song. About an hour later, I decided to knock on the wall.

No response.

Either they couldn't hear me, or they were dead.  My roommate and I proceeded to bang on the wall with shoes.  After hearing no one's voice, we decided to knock on the door.  That was probably the most logical thing to do in the first place.  Knocked on the door.

No response.

Once it became 12:30 a.m., we decided to stay at my roommate's family's house.  We didn't text them ahead of time because we didn't want to wake them.  As I rested my head on the guest room pillow, the family's dog began to bark.   My roommate's parents had no idea we were in the house, so they were alarmed by the bark of Balto, the guard dog. After my roommate went to introduce the dog to me so that he wouldn't be on edge and telling the parents that we were there and not robbers, we were finally able to fall asleep. 

After church this morning, we decided to meet our neighbors and express our concerns. 

"Hi, I'm your neighbor, Devin.  Were you home last night?  We heard loud music but couldn't get your attention. "

The neighbor, confused as to why we were standing at his door, replied "I wasn't.  Actually my cat likes to turn the music on sometimes.  It was blaring when I came back this morning, he likes to rock out.  Next time I'll unplug the radio before I leave. I'm sorry about that!"

"I did enjoy the worship music, though!"

"That's what he listened to?  I just learned something new about my cat!"

A Favorite Song

 All I Have Is Christ

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God's love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0vfz5lr37g
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Praise

College Cooking: Easy, Yummy, and Nutritious

As a senior in college, I am trying to keep my meals four things: cheap, delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare. Most of the time it is almost impossible to get all of those at once, but it doesn't stop me from trying! A friend and I have started to make freezer crockpot meals ahead of time. We went grocery shopping together and split the bill in half. This saves money! Plus, no one really needs 8 servings of something to eat all by themself (barf). 

This was tonight's meal: 

I should probably work on my food photography skills.

Anyways, the brown blob is beer braised "flank" steak. I got the recipe from slenderkitchen.com. I ended up using a sirloin steak instead of flank steak because it was much cheaper ($12 dollars total for 2, 1 pound servings but half is $6- also, it makes about 3 servings each). This recipe also calls for a lot of spices so if you already have them you're in luck! It calls for beer to braise it in so we bought a light one on sale for $1. For this recipe if you use sirloin, the crockpot does not need to run 8 hours on low. It was a little tough and dry- I'd say right around 4-5 hours since it's a thin cut and has also been seared for 2 mins on each side before freezing. 

The green things pictured are snow field peas. I washed them (just an individual portion), put them in a glass bowl, doused them in soy sauce, and microwaved it for two minutes with a paper towel covering. They were GREAT! 

Gotta run, college calls! :) 

Grateful

I would not believe you if you'd told me I'd be sad about leaving home after spending my summer in Andalusia. Not one bit. I guess it is kind of hard to go from the transition of "kicking and screaming" all the way from Auburn (mentally, not actually) to then enjoying my time here. I learned that my time does not necessarily have to be all planned out by me for it to be meaningful. Or spent with my Auburn friends (although I do love you dearly!). It does not have to be all of my favorite things. In the beginning of the summer, I went to see if I could volunteer with the dietitian at the hospital. Being the assuming person that I am, I judged that he was harsh. It is quite funny now to compare how I feel now to then. Now, I feel like I have another grandpa. He always treated me with honor- never did I ever feel in his way or stupid. He works hard and diligently. And never failed to ask how my day was going or what I should be doing differently this semester for school. I can't thank Mr. John enough for being gracious with his time to mentor me.

I will miss omelet days! (War eagle)

I also spent part of my weeks babysitting a year and a half old baby. It was a time where my patience was tested. I would get so frustrated when I couldn't figure out how to stop him from crying or whenever he'd pick up dog poop or whenever he'd stick his hand in an ant bed. As time went on, I started to really like our time together. I saw his personality shine and see that maybe he didn't really 100% hate me. Although at times I was frustrated, I would never trade it. I'm gonna miss that cute little blue eyed nugget. 

Lastly, this was valuable time with my family.  This could potentially be my last summer at home and it meant a lot to be able to see them every day for 3 months. I know I'll remember this summer forever!

 The first month and a half I spent here trying to pick out everything that is wrong-  just about how things are different from where I've been the last 3 years.  I had yet to get over being selfish about where I was and to stop comparing a place to another. How unproductive and unloving is that?! I was reminded that- Heck, I love these people. I love the work that The Lord is doing here even when my little brain can't see it. tonight, it is hard to say goodbye. But I am so thankful for all that I've learned. 

USA USA USA

Freezing fun at Ponce De Leon Springs.

Sophisticated.

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told."

Habakkuk 1:5

Rerouted Family Fun

This morning we arrived at the airport around 6:30 am, only to discover that our flight had been cancelled and we will need to fly out at 6:15 am tomorrow! Our cancelled  flight left us wondering around Birmingham today. We got to look around Pepper Place Market and took an unexpected 3 hour nap. 

Unfailing Love

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:6-10 
 

Tell The World- Lecrae

A List of Happy Things

Welcome to a blog post pointing out simple, small, happy things over the past couple of months.

Random happy things in no particular order:



1.  Auburn in the snow.

 2.  Roxy (Even though she really doesn't like me).

3.  Wide open spaces... (cue the music)

4.  Food.

 5. Zebras with weird facial expressions.

 6.  Coffee and my new favorite place, my desk. 

 7.  An actual camel on hump daaaay.

8.  Growing herbs (or attempting, rather).