I work at Sweet Eugene's and when I close on Saturdays I do the dishes from midnight 'till 3:00 AM. It's pretty great. Lots of time to think.
While I do the dishes, I get to talk to my friend Mary, one of the bakers for Daylight Donuts. She is 69 years old and works 2 jobs. She goes to work at 7:30 as a cook at one of the schools in Bryan and then she sleeps from 6:00 PM 'till midnight, then she comes to work at Sweet Eugene's to make those donuts that you all know and love. She works so hard just to make a living.
She was a city girl but married a country man. She has 3 grown children and tons of grandchildren. She raised chickens and cows...including a calf named T-Bone Tom...so tasty! She loves dancing and cooking and her family. She is so in love with her husband. It's wonderful to see. Mary has a passion for quilting but since times got hard she hasn't had time...as a result, she's had a quilt she's wanted to finish since the 90's...those are just little facets of who she is.
As I got to know Mary and we became good friends. We laughed a lot, talked about life, I moved heavy things for her, ya know...the usual! I learned so much from her. She became one of the reasons that work was fun.
After a few weeks of talking to Mary she said something that made me raise an eyebrow. She said that I was the only one who talked to her at work. Why? That makes absolutely no sense at all. Don't people realize that you can learn so much by just being friends with people?
Ladies and gentlemen, I urge to to introduce yourself to the people you overlook everyday. You have no idea how much a little thing like that can change you life. I challenge you to meet someone new every day. Learn and remember their name and one thing about them and ask them next time you see them. After 3 times you'll have a friend.
People aren't used to other people caring. Blow their minds. Say hello. I dare you!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
"People are cooler close up"
People are cooler close up.
Funny phrase. Let me unpack that. It reflects something I've been thinking about recently.
We live in a culture marinated with insecurity. We are taught to compare ourselves to what the world deems "ideal". Guys and girls alike. As a result of this I watch people walk around, hoping that no one will notice the flaws that they see in themselves...hoping people won't look too close.
This comes to my point. Everyone has something that makes them unique and amazing. Every one of us is handcrafted for a purpose. We are "beautifully and wonderfully made" art, treasured, valued and cherished. If we chose to overlook that, I think our view of God is too small.
If you go through life looking at people closer, past the outside appearance, past popularity, past status etc, I think you will find that people are cooler close up.
So here ya go guys, next time you meet someone, take the time to see what makes them unique. Look a little closer. Find out how to love them. It is worth it.
Funny phrase. Let me unpack that. It reflects something I've been thinking about recently.
We live in a culture marinated with insecurity. We are taught to compare ourselves to what the world deems "ideal". Guys and girls alike. As a result of this I watch people walk around, hoping that no one will notice the flaws that they see in themselves...hoping people won't look too close.
This comes to my point. Everyone has something that makes them unique and amazing. Every one of us is handcrafted for a purpose. We are "beautifully and wonderfully made" art, treasured, valued and cherished. If we chose to overlook that, I think our view of God is too small.
If you go through life looking at people closer, past the outside appearance, past popularity, past status etc, I think you will find that people are cooler close up.
So here ya go guys, next time you meet someone, take the time to see what makes them unique. Look a little closer. Find out how to love them. It is worth it.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Bus drivers or learning things wherever you are.
So, bus drivers. The get you from where you are to where you want to go. Have you ever wondered what would happen if you actually spoke to one of those bus drivers? No? Oh...well I wondered.
Wondering leads to questioning and questions need answers ergo, I spoke to my bus driver today. The driver was ever so nice. His name was Stormy and he had been driving buses for about 2 months.
Did you know that the new buses are 5 feet longer and they have better brakes? No? What about that the new buses don't have radios? Nothing? Oh...well then I bet you didn't know that all the new buses had to get 4,000 dollars worth of different mirrors put on them before they were allowed on the road huh? Well then maybe you should talk to bus drivers!
You can learn something anywhere you go. It's just a matter of using your time intentionally.
Wondering leads to questioning and questions need answers ergo, I spoke to my bus driver today. The driver was ever so nice. His name was Stormy and he had been driving buses for about 2 months.
Did you know that the new buses are 5 feet longer and they have better brakes? No? What about that the new buses don't have radios? Nothing? Oh...well then I bet you didn't know that all the new buses had to get 4,000 dollars worth of different mirrors put on them before they were allowed on the road huh? Well then maybe you should talk to bus drivers!
You can learn something anywhere you go. It's just a matter of using your time intentionally.
The first day of spring semester '08!
I found this on my computer and thought it was funny...ergo I decided to share it with the world!
So…woke up early for my 8:00 math class. Made a good breakfast, said good morning to Abby and Holly and moseyed on out the door. Boarded the bus and was off to campus. The bus driver was really nice.
My first class was the math class. Mr. Rose was there again and he was very kind as usual. Mehlissa my ninja buddy was there as well. How fun is that!
After math, I headed to my next class, which was by the H2o fountain. On the way, I saw Javier, my bus riding friend and we talked about the break and such. He had to go teach a class and I had to go find a class so we parted ways. Onward towards more education!
The class itself is a technology class. I was sitting in the classroom when Tashara from Org Comm. walked in and sat next to me. We’re going to be friends this semester I think. AS we were sitting there, we were talking about our class expectations and someone said that the teacher was probably old and outdated on their technology skills and such.
When the teacher walked in however, he was definitely NOT old. Ladies and gents, that was one tall, dark, handsome young, single grad student. Oh Baby oh baby. LOL. The entire classroom (almost all female I might add) went quiet with a short gasp. He turned out to be a good teacher too.
The class I’m sitting in right now is marketing. It’s on west campus…which is amazing! There was a free breakfast and a stock ticker along one wall. Way to create future business professionals A&M! Everything in me was saying “I’m home!”. Ha ha.
Marketing is the name of the game here and I think I’m going to like it. It’s a big lecture hall (350 students) full of some pretty interesting people…a lot of them seem to know each other but I hope to make some friends here too!
After the class, a girl named Mary (who was wearing very stripey rain boots) introduced herself. As we got to talking, I found out that she was an aspiring florist. The conversation continued and she offered to copy all of her notes for me! Jolly good eh?
I then hopped (not literally) on a bus and headed back towards the main campus. There, I became horribly lost in a big building looking for a class…that wasn’t in that building at all. I found that, after walking into a class, staying for 10 minutes I was sadly in the wrong room…of the wrong building…on the wrong end of campus.
The solution? Speed walking. My directional issues were solved by periodically asking construction workers where I was and where I needed to go. Once I got to the right building I had to once again ask for directions due to the fact that they were improving the building…therefore making the usual routes impassable.
I finally got to class…about 25 minutes late…but there nonetheless. Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce you to my folklore class. I made friends with this guy who was in the very back row. I could tell by the very poor posture of the class that the professor wasn’t very interesting and as I, myself fought to keep my attention focused I realized that this would not do (at which point I began to make up a list of other classes which were available in that timeslot).
My final class, to my surprise was in the same building! Oh joy! Oh rapture! No need to ask the construction men this time. I got into the lecture hall and it was definitely stadium style seating. It kind of looked like how you sit in an IMAX theater…really steep! On the walls there were murals of farmers (go figure) and chandeliers on the ceiling.
The professor was boring but nice. He has written a few books and has a pretty interesting resume. Definitely qualified to teach.
After that I WAS FREE! Free to go see my advisor that is. So I did. She didn’t have any classes that fit into my folklore spot but I’ll keep checking.
Hopped on the bus (this time more literally) and headed home to Jack and some potato fingers Abby made for me! Yay! I have now finished a bowl of tasty orange soup and some hot earl grey tea.
So…woke up early for my 8:00 math class. Made a good breakfast, said good morning to Abby and Holly and moseyed on out the door. Boarded the bus and was off to campus. The bus driver was really nice.
My first class was the math class. Mr. Rose was there again and he was very kind as usual. Mehlissa my ninja buddy was there as well. How fun is that!
After math, I headed to my next class, which was by the H2o fountain. On the way, I saw Javier, my bus riding friend and we talked about the break and such. He had to go teach a class and I had to go find a class so we parted ways. Onward towards more education!
The class itself is a technology class. I was sitting in the classroom when Tashara from Org Comm. walked in and sat next to me. We’re going to be friends this semester I think. AS we were sitting there, we were talking about our class expectations and someone said that the teacher was probably old and outdated on their technology skills and such.
When the teacher walked in however, he was definitely NOT old. Ladies and gents, that was one tall, dark, handsome young, single grad student. Oh Baby oh baby. LOL. The entire classroom (almost all female I might add) went quiet with a short gasp. He turned out to be a good teacher too.
The class I’m sitting in right now is marketing. It’s on west campus…which is amazing! There was a free breakfast and a stock ticker along one wall. Way to create future business professionals A&M! Everything in me was saying “I’m home!”. Ha ha.
Marketing is the name of the game here and I think I’m going to like it. It’s a big lecture hall (350 students) full of some pretty interesting people…a lot of them seem to know each other but I hope to make some friends here too!
After the class, a girl named Mary (who was wearing very stripey rain boots) introduced herself. As we got to talking, I found out that she was an aspiring florist. The conversation continued and she offered to copy all of her notes for me! Jolly good eh?
I then hopped (not literally) on a bus and headed back towards the main campus. There, I became horribly lost in a big building looking for a class…that wasn’t in that building at all. I found that, after walking into a class, staying for 10 minutes I was sadly in the wrong room…of the wrong building…on the wrong end of campus.
The solution? Speed walking. My directional issues were solved by periodically asking construction workers where I was and where I needed to go. Once I got to the right building I had to once again ask for directions due to the fact that they were improving the building…therefore making the usual routes impassable.
I finally got to class…about 25 minutes late…but there nonetheless. Ladies and gents, allow me to introduce you to my folklore class. I made friends with this guy who was in the very back row. I could tell by the very poor posture of the class that the professor wasn’t very interesting and as I, myself fought to keep my attention focused I realized that this would not do (at which point I began to make up a list of other classes which were available in that timeslot).
My final class, to my surprise was in the same building! Oh joy! Oh rapture! No need to ask the construction men this time. I got into the lecture hall and it was definitely stadium style seating. It kind of looked like how you sit in an IMAX theater…really steep! On the walls there were murals of farmers (go figure) and chandeliers on the ceiling.
The professor was boring but nice. He has written a few books and has a pretty interesting resume. Definitely qualified to teach.
After that I WAS FREE! Free to go see my advisor that is. So I did. She didn’t have any classes that fit into my folklore spot but I’ll keep checking.
Hopped on the bus (this time more literally) and headed home to Jack and some potato fingers Abby made for me! Yay! I have now finished a bowl of tasty orange soup and some hot earl grey tea.
Some thoughts for the ladies...
Think about it ladies...if we are truly looking for a husband who serves the Lord wholeheartedly and treats us with gentleness and respect, then once we find him, we need to be willing to serve him second only to the Lord. (Look at 1 Peter 3)
We were created to be helpers...I think that carries into helping him in his ministry as well.
Many people overlook the ministry part when they are searching for the man of their dreams. Once we see a man who is a Christian, we think that is enough. I'm not contradicting that thought but merely adding another dimension
When you are single, your only job is to pursue a relationship with Christ and live a lifestyle that reflects that. You are free to pursue your ministry whether that is in working with teenagers, single moms, the elderly, college women or wherever else.
When you get married, things change. While your relationship with the Lord remains paramount, your priorities are no longer focused on yourself, and your ministry. There is a man in your life who you are called to respect and follow...to be his helper.
I believe that helping in his ministry is part of that. Through having a "gentle and quiet spirit" and a servant's heart, you can not only support his ministry but model what it looks like to be a Christ-like wife.
In a world that marinates itself in lust, adultery, pornography, and divorce, you will be a rebel for a holy cause by respecting and serving your husband! By living your life based on God's standard, you will be challenging the world's perspective on marriage...and you will probably be asked a lot of questions about why you live how you do. Can you imagine what an awesome witnessing opportunity that would be!
By doing this, you are in fact, taking on a new ministry. Living that kind of life is a full time job in itself ...but a very rewarding one! From what I read in Proverbs 31, a woman who lives her life like this will be cherished by her husband.
Deep down inside, we as women desire to be cherished (just like men desire to feel respected)..that's just how we were created. By serving a godly man wholeheartedly, it comes full circle huh? Think about it!
Now get out there and life your lives in contradiction to the world! Just be ready to answer questions because if you intentionally life your lives as a witness, you will raise a few eyebrows along the way.
If you have any questions, comments, thoughts or disagreements, please feel free to comment!
We were created to be helpers...I think that carries into helping him in his ministry as well.
Many people overlook the ministry part when they are searching for the man of their dreams. Once we see a man who is a Christian, we think that is enough. I'm not contradicting that thought but merely adding another dimension
When you are single, your only job is to pursue a relationship with Christ and live a lifestyle that reflects that. You are free to pursue your ministry whether that is in working with teenagers, single moms, the elderly, college women or wherever else.
When you get married, things change. While your relationship with the Lord remains paramount, your priorities are no longer focused on yourself, and your ministry. There is a man in your life who you are called to respect and follow...to be his helper.
I believe that helping in his ministry is part of that. Through having a "gentle and quiet spirit" and a servant's heart, you can not only support his ministry but model what it looks like to be a Christ-like wife.
In a world that marinates itself in lust, adultery, pornography, and divorce, you will be a rebel for a holy cause by respecting and serving your husband! By living your life based on God's standard, you will be challenging the world's perspective on marriage...and you will probably be asked a lot of questions about why you live how you do. Can you imagine what an awesome witnessing opportunity that would be!
By doing this, you are in fact, taking on a new ministry. Living that kind of life is a full time job in itself ...but a very rewarding one! From what I read in Proverbs 31, a woman who lives her life like this will be cherished by her husband.
"Cherish - To have the highest regard for: prize, treasure. Idioms: hold dear. See value/worthlessness/evaluation. To recognize the worth, quality, importance, or magnitude of: appreciate, esteem, prize, respect, treasure, value." (Thanks Wikipedia!)
Deep down inside, we as women desire to be cherished (just like men desire to feel respected)..that's just how we were created. By serving a godly man wholeheartedly, it comes full circle huh? Think about it!
Now get out there and life your lives in contradiction to the world! Just be ready to answer questions because if you intentionally life your lives as a witness, you will raise a few eyebrows along the way.
If you have any questions, comments, thoughts or disagreements, please feel free to comment!
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