The Lining is Silver

So when I pulled up blogger to type this, everything except what I am typing is in Icelandic...  And I'm in Reykjavik, Iceland by the way, in case you were unaware. ...Also, I don't really want to come home...all that awful heat and humidity...blegh. *Pronunciation Guide: Reykjavik = Rehk-yah-vick Anywho, normally I wouldn't exactly list evangelism at the top of my skills list...in fact, it makes me feel super nervous and awkward. (Which I've decided is actually pretty stupid when you consider the totally sovereign God in charge of the whole universe and everything in it.)  So not to be debby-downer, but I wasn't particularly looking forward to today's task. The good news is that I was not in control of the entire day's goings on, and it turned out to be really awesome. After prayer walking this morning and a nutritious lunch of PB&Js, we split into groups, and divided up to conquer some coffee houses in downtown Reykjavik. The first...

I have been one fat wad of grumpy lately.  Seriously, my attitude totally stinks most of the time. I have been completely bitter about life this summer, and almost took a break from all social media for a while (which probably wouldn't hurt) because I was so tired of scrolling through all these people's days at the beach and lake, family vacations, trips with friends, ect. while I was stuck sitting in 8 am public speaking and a monstrously boring statistics lab in the afternoons.  Somewhere in there I decided that I was the victim of a terrible, cruel world where I was stuck going to summer school (that I  signed up for) and everyone else was out having the time of their lives doing nothing all day everyday. Which really just isn't true.  At all. What is true is that I am very blessed to be able to go to school period, and get the great education I am receiving.  And I will probably be thankful in the long run that I am here now as opposed to later.  I...

*Insert heavy sigh*  Here we go...this is going to be a long one.  Get comfortable. Recently, a bit of controversy has surfaced surrounding a certain clothing store...*cough cough* ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH...not to name names or anything.  If you don't have a clue as to what I am talking about, apparently the company's CEO said some things a few years ago regarding the type of person they want to be seen wearing their brand and the sizes they will be carrying, and in doing so, offended A LOT of people.  Which is understandable.  Even if he was not trying to offend anyone or if the phrases were taken out of context in recent news, it sure does come off as pretty offensive no matter who you are. If you would like an explanation better than my generic synopsis you can look  Here ,  Here , or  Here . I will say that it almost seems silly for people to be getting worked up over it now.  I mean every advertisement for that store includes at le...

So, right now I'm definitely procrastinating studying for a test I have later this week. Actually, that's partially incorrect.  I have been studying for it prior to now (I'm not THAT unorganized), but I am procrastinating starting it up again after what was originally supposed to be a 5 minute study break. Now that that confession is taken care of, I can get to the point! ...which I haven't exactly figured out how to gracefully present yet. Let's see....ok. Well, I went home this weekend and really loved getting to be there and spend time with my family freezing to death at a baseball game, shopping with my favorite personal shopper, and hitting up the movies. P.S.- Jack the Giant Slayer was pretty good-but I do love any decent fantasy movie with a classic hero saving the princess and epic battle or two, so I may not be a great source if you are picky. ANYWAY, back to the back story: After church at good ole FBC Wetu, I had plans to go to lunch with Ta...

So it's been a while.  Honestly, I've just been busy...and when I'm not busy, I'm just too lazy to blog.  Horrid habit-laziness.  Definitely working on it. Today is different though, because any busy-ness or laziness has been completely overwhelmed by some very sweet faces who I have been meaning to talk more about on here for a long time.  And frankly, there are no words... So, before reading any further , make sure you have some volume and click   here . Yeah.  How do words express that? That video is from another group who went to China after we left last summer, but those are the kids we were brothers and sisters with for a week... Funny how short a week actually is. I feel like I should be straight up with all of you (whoever you are, if anyone even reads this) and say that I didn't even really want to go on that trip.  No, really.  It was a complete act of spontaneity signing up last spring.  I don't even remember really th...

I have no idea how to begin this post.  (And that sentence is the ever mysterious this-might-be-something-really-epic-and-dramatic one I use for when this happens.)  So, I will go with the background story introduction (as usual): Side note: I wish I could legitimately start with an actual animated Disney storybook intro like all the old princesses. I've always wondered what I would look like as an animated Disney character...preferably a princess, or a fish from Nemo, or a lion in the Lion King. Today after sitting and taking notes (doodling/going through my planner and trying to stay up to date on my life) in the longest 50 minute literature class of my life, I felt drained and frazzled and just blah in general so I decided to go for a walk.  A hill, a stumble, a stubbed toe, and two near misses with a couple of psycho cyclists later I found myself at the Arboretum.  I always forget how cool that place is until I go, which is not near often enough.  Se...

I now fully understand what Amanda Bynes meant when she said, "Jet Lag" in that scene where she and Colin Firth bonded over a bowl of Coco Pops in the middle of the night.  I am pooped.  Yet, I would gladly give up my soft mattress and fork to stay a few extra weeks.  Which is quite a turn around from how we were feeling that Monday.  After the kids were all in bed that night, I seriously wondered how we were going to survive the entire week.   Check Philippians 4:19, kiddo. He did provide everything-from patience, to a tea that was cold and almost sweet.   This trip was absolutely the most humbling one I have ever embarked on. The Lord continuously gave me peace and patience, which I am so thankful for.  There is no way we could've done it all without Him.   Now, go a page back and check 4:4-5.  Go ahead and memorize that. ...especially not when we came out the wrong exit of the tra...