"Hide Ya Kids"

This week is perhaps nothing short of strange.  Do you ever have an event in life that seems to slow down time? 

On Saturday afternoon before the Iron Bowl, I was debating on going hunting with my brother or dad.  The cell service is really bad there, but I had received an unknown voicemail from Auburn.  After listening, I called the Auburn Police Department back to hear that my apartment had been broken into and I needed to come to Auburn sooner than I had planned to file a report.  My safe little Auburn apartment?  Suddenly the place where I've lived for 3 years doesn't feel so safe anymore. I came back to the door kicked in and unable to close unless I locked it.  My neighbors were the ones that came back to their apartment broken into and got the police to contact me.  Once I came back to Auburn (my mom was really sweet and came up with me), we scouted out the place. The majority of containers in my closet had been flipped over and my clothes and a few shoes were scattered in the bottom of my closet.  They looked through my desk drawers and also through my shirts, pants, and socks in an attempt to find money or jewelry.  It feels eerie to come back to your things scattered about, drawers opened, and looked through- not how you left them before break.  It just seems so strange that someone would break in through my front door (exposed to lights) and then tote a TV to the bottom of the stairs. The possibility of them coming back while I am in my place really freaks me out.  SO, Auburn students- take all of your things with you when you are gone. 

While I am still a bit anxious, the feeling gets lesser every day.  I have felt very loved through this strangely enough.  Also, I am now armed with wasp spray that shoots 27 feet. Come at me...

A Floral Birthday

It all started out with a proposal.... To take pictures with sunflowers. 

     

Jump! I'll catch you....

       So thankful for these sweet friends.

"Live While We're Young"

Courtney and I had too many study dance breaks to count back in our roomie days. So, as soon as the chance came to reminisce, we took it! We finally were going to see the band that saw us through on our most stressful times- One Direction! Are we twelve years old? Maybe. But are we a bundle of fun? Heck yes.

The night began by chowing down at the hot bar in Whole Foods. Boy, do I love that place. I know that it was supposed to be cheap because it is charged by the pound, but I got a little carried away by all of the delicious (and nutritious!) possibilities. After a good time chatting it up over the newly found goods and apple cider, we made our way to our new Atlanta friend, the Marta. This was my first experience with Marta, but apparently if you buy your tickets using cash you are given change back in gold coins. If you're like me and used a $20, it sounds like you've won the lottery. Tickled by this, I stuffed 12 golden coins in my purse and tried to keep up with the ever so fast paced Courtney. 

Once we made it to the concert after the opening act, 1D hit the stage at 9:30. Two words that will change your life: ear plugs. Every time Harry Styles was seen on the jumbotron the dome exploded with high pitched 10 year old screams. 

Best night ever. If you ever get the chance to go see 1D- DO IT! You will feel like a pre-teen and unashamed of your white girl dance moves. 

After the show, we were in a frenzy to find the quickest way back to where we parked because I had two exams the next day and an 8 am lab while Courtney had work and a longer drive than I. Technology failed us due to recent construction and we spent about an hour being redirected to find the Vine City Marta. Eventually, we found it! Frustrated by the blisters on my feet, I took on the subway barefooted. And then thought about all of the possible fungal infections I could get. 

Exhausted from our adventure to find Marta.

This was definitely the best way to start off our birthday month. Cute British/Irish fellas and got to see one of my best friends. Could it get any better?!

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