One More...

Read this too.....on church wounds.

Yet another article to read

Why we need single and married friends. A very good article

article

You should all read this article about my former classmate

Auburn State Tailgate

What guys should be looking for....

I thought this was an encouraging article. So many times we read Christian articles that make women sound like they have to be weak in order to be good Christian wives...personally, I always felt that if I were picking a helpmate, I would want to pick a smart wise strong woman....apparently, thats what guys should be looking for.

War Eagle!!

My hot date Alexandria and me in our nosebleed seats. We could see the entire field, of course, without binoculars, I could not always see the numbers of the players. Luckilly I DVR'd the game so I can now go back and actually see who made all the plays...Last year I was in the corner endzone but the upper deck was nice...you could see the whole game.

Little known fact, Alexandria took me to my first Auburn game.


Brian and Ashley. I didnt believe they were dating because they have NO pictures together.....so I made them take a picture...Aren't they cute?? Now, if only we could all find nice guys and start our tailgate tradition ha....

Ashley, Laura Ann, and Me...Laura Ann is so cute pregnant!

The new arena....its nice! and as Alexandria said, "I paid for this." so true...

War Eagle? Hotty Toddy?

SUPER excited about heading to the plains on Saturday....but pretty eager to get to this place this fall too.

my billed hours have gone down this week which I am going to have to make up Monday on my day off. I am a little kid so excited I can't sit still....thats ok, working on labor day is totally worth enjoying this week.

Having a football kickoff party at my house tomorrow to watch SC USM....

ONE MORE DAY! and 3 til AU gameday!

Countdown

A great article on SEC Rivalries.

on the plains in 5 days....can't wait.

girls prayer group

A few friends and I are planning on starting a prayer group-- not so much a bible study, where we delve into small sections of scripture because we are already involved in bible studies. But, an actual prayer group where we discuss problems we are facing, encourage eachother, and take it to the Lord....

We mentioned possibly reading books, not so much a bible study but reading a book one month then just meeting a discussing it and application, no real plan, etc.

Anyone have ideas of good books?

"The Group"

This article describes my group of friends to a tee. Ironicly, the more we hang out with all these great Christians, the less we date. This author takes an honest look at how a great Christian group may not just be benificial, but also hurtful. My only dislike with the article is that he fails to suggest a solution. I have great Christian community and none of us are willing to just walk away from that. It is what makes my life so much fun right now, but I would hate to think it hinders me from relationships. Plus, the "group" setting worked great in college so we just carried it into adulthood, but maybe things work differently as adults.

Anyways, glance at the article. It is definitely a thought provoker.

IN THE MIDDLE

I loved this article about living life in the middle, in the waiting. I hope you all enjoy it too.

her article makes reference to this one....

I think waiting is particularly hard. I am not patient. I want the answer-- good or bad, now. Then i can deal with it-- celebrate, mourn, whatever, but begin putting my life together. In so many situations, thats not the option, the truth is you wait and hope and give up and discourage yourself and are discouraged by others then hope again, in a long vicious cycle. Some people haven't had to do much waiting in their lives-- now I don't mean that they haven't had pain. I think everyone has had pain, but they haven't had the pain of waiting. I also think unless you have waited (even if you waited and everything turned out okay), you probably don't know how to show empathy and understanding to someone whose life seems on hold til they find a job, get into school, have a baby, etc. I have had to wait for things in my past, so I do know the good and bad and annoyingness of waiting to figure out whats next. I hope that pain isn't wasted by me- in my own life and in otehrs...I hope I can use it to be an encouragement to those who are waiting. Sometimes it just helps to have someone waiting with you. I can be that someone.

My favorite line of the second article:

"God, like any good father, sees around corners for His children and snatches them out of the way of oncoming cars. He also drags His kids, kicking and screaming, from their cherished mud puddles, to take them to the beach."

Oh, so good. Ok, my break from researching and billing is over....back to it!

Boo

Boo. Marley moves tomorrow.

What are you unlearning?

What are you unlearning??

Goodbye Marley: the African Safari episode

Christian Advice ??

This is why my generation is growing tired of dating..because we do EVERYTHING wrong, we kissed dating goodbye, we told it hello again, we worried too much about finding the right one, we worried to little, we made marriage an idol, we made career an idol, we were too forward, we were too passive, etc, etc, etc. I wonder if all this "Christian advice" has really been helpful.

good news! Marley and Bech won't be homeless when they arrive in Vermont! Apparently, people up there are very lax and don't give you an official yes or no, but instead say we might have room, no promises, check back, we have a space for now, etc., etc. And I thought southerners had a hard time saying yes or no and not beating around the bush. FINALLY one of the places has agreed they could move in August 1st!! Such good news.

I'm leaving you with a Marley picture of the day...an oldie, but goodie.

Countdown til Vermont

Here is a little Marley Picture for you today. Actually, it is of our entire family. This may be my favorite picture our family has ever taken -- I love Bech, but these were the last few minutes where we were just us.

Vermont

Who gets the worst blogger award? me. I may actually quit...only reason I keep up is because I like to read other people's blogs but I can do that without having my own right? we shall see.

Anyways my sister is moving to Vermont in 13 days....we all live within 3 1/2 hrs of eachother ---my parents and sister in Brookhaven, me in Jackson and brother at Ole Miss. Same with her husband's family-- they all live close too, so needless to say, many people will miss them. But, Vermont is easier to get to than Malawi, so this is less upsetting than when she moved to Africa. I guess this had to happen - we would grow up and start our own lives but its kindof sad bc Ansley and Blaise are still at home and I hate we are not all together! Be praying that God provides great Christian friends for them in Vermont....after all, Vermont is not known as the Bible belt :-) for a reason. But I know the Lord can place a few great people in their lives and that they can minister to others there-- maybe Vermont is a bigger mission field than Africa!

I'll try to do a picture countdown of Marley moving. This is Blaise, Marley and me at the Charity Ball this year.

Mermaid Cafe

Mermaid Cafe..... 4/5 for food 2/5 for service 5/5 for atmosphere

My friends and I went here the night after I ran my first half marathon to celebrate! I was so excited to try this unique beachy place on Lake Caroline out in Madison County. It is about a 20+ minute drive to the suburbs, way out in the suburbs but for atmosphere, it is well worth the drive. BP and tar balls are keeping me from my favorite place, the beach, so dinner on the lake in a beachy seafood restaurant with a front porch and casual atmosphere was great. Made me feel like I was living a slower pace of life....

What wasn't nice though was the slower pace of service, just because I want the slower beach atmosphere doesn't mean I want slow service-- which is exactly what we received. In fact, my friend ordered crab and brie soup which arrived AFTER the meal. Not acceptable.

But the food was good. Of course, I am a fish lover. I would eat seafood over steak any day of the week, so if you cook it well, I will most likely love it. I ordered crab and brie soup with a main course of tilapia and potatoes and then, key lime pie with an oreo crust for dessert because well, I ran 13.1 miles that day, I deserved it :-)

Check it out: MERMAID CAFE

Everyone was really pleased with the food, but the lackluster service lowered our overall experience. Would I eat there again? Probably yes. The service could have been that one waiter.....but 2's my limit, its definitely not 3 strikes your out for dining!

What I have been up to lately....

Taylor Swift/ Keith Urban concert with Claire...

Memorial Day Cookout......

Rooftop Party in Fondren.....

Ruth

I LOVE the book of Ruth. I love that it is about heros and faith and romance and providence.

I have listened to Mark Driscoll's famous series on Ruth multiple times. Each time I learn so much. For instance, most commentators criticize Naomi....she grew bitter, and everyone knows bitterness is a sin. It is a picture of how we are not supposed to be. But, he sees it differently. She grows bitter and indeed it is a sin, BUT she should be praised in her approach. When she returns to Bethlehem, she announces to her friends, family, community, "I am bitter. I left full, I come back empty." What did she do when she was struggling with this particular sin? She came to God and to His people. She did not try to hide it or fix it on her on. She put herself in Christian community for support encouragement, prayer, a shoulder to cry on, even correction and discipline as she tackled her bitterness. See what I am talking about?? This is cool stuff he uncovers...something I never got from Ruth before!!

Today, on my least favorite day of the year, I listened to it again and this is what I learned this time....

In sermon 3, he talked about was how Boaz was a "r"edeemer (not "R"edeemer). He talked about how God used him as redemption in Ruth's life....the book literally starts with a funeral and ends with a wedding and baby. He came in and played the role of hero to a woman who was destitute. Driscoll makes the point to Christian boys that having a Christian checklist can cause them to miss strong amazing women....expecting almost perfect "Christian from Christian families who have never known pain" women. He makes the point that Boaz married a woman who was dirty, dirt poor gleaming in the fields, a recent Christian convert, widow, not a Virgin, from a Pagan culture known for perversion, who does not have an involved family (her dad was not involved in the whole story), etc.....not who most "Christian Guys" would pick. But she was faithful -- having converted on the road to Bethlehem and literally after being saved for maybe 5 minutes, choosing to follow her bitter mother in law to a Hebrew country (where the likelihood of people liking her due to her Moab background was slim), giving up everything she knew. Thats faith! Then she went to work in the fields to provide for her mother in law-- LOYALTY! And although not the perfect Christian with the perfect Christian background, she was a blessing as a wife because she was strong and had withstood hardship building character and trust through sanctified suffering. Driscoll made the point that why so many men look for the perfect idea of a Christian woman, they might miss out on the strength and character that an "imperfect" redeemed woman could bring to the marriage.

Indeed it is a blessing to grow up in a Christian home with a good life where you can never claim a day where you did not know of the gospel. I was blessed to have that, but I was so encouraged to be reminded that the Lord loves and uses the imperfect-- those who did not grow up Christian, those who have been divorced, or are single moms, widows, had sexual pasts, or maybe, in my case, broken engagements. And I was also encouraged to know that wise godly men love these women too-- that in a way a hurtful past can be a blessing on a marriage....bringing wisdom, strength, character, loyalty, etc. How wonderful to know the Lord redeems even the worst of situations! If he redeemed Ruth, He can redeem the situations of so many women I know! It also encouraged me to challenge myself and my friends not to look for the "perfect Christian" guy with the perfect family, perfect past, but to look for the godly man who the Lord has redeemed.

I encourage everyone to listen to the Ruth series....at Mars Hill Church. These are just two of the things I have learned but the 6 sermons deal with God's hand in suffering, redemption, risk, blessing, etc. Such neat stuff to learn!!

during my first week of court....

During my first week of court, I.....

1. had a defendant hit on me

2. had a defendant show up drunk

3. had a defendant try to kidnap her daughter from the custodial parent

4. saw another attorney tell someone we couldn't help her get child support because technically she was not divorced from her previous marriage when she married again so she was a bigamist.

5. had a defendant ask me to drug test his kids because he believes that the momma is putting drugs in their food.

6. had a defendant ask me to hire him as my paralegal

7. had the bailiff escort a defendant out of courthouse....

all in a days work, friends!

Krakow, Poland

So finally, I am beginning to update on the 2nd legs of our journey. This time we have pictures.....

Krakow, Poland was unlike anywhere else I have been. It had old world charm but it was dirty and by dirty, I don't mean trashy like NYC of Nola, I mean literally dirty, as in dirt and dust on pretty buildings. Also it was pretty cheap. We would eat fancy meals (couple glasses of wine, maybe an appetizer, dinner and dessert) from nice restaurants for 3o bucks a piece, even cheaper than Prague.

We saw the Old Town Square -- the largest in Europe, Wawel Castle, and the Jewish Getto. We also went to a Jewish museum and then of course Auschwitz (which I will talk about on a different day)

Here are some pictures of our adventures in Krakow. Wait scratch that, my computer won't cooperate so pictures will come another day.

quick facts about my trip to Krakow

- surprisingly, our best meal of the trip came from Krakow. I had duck with a cherry sauce, veggies and a potato dish, wine and apple strudle for dessert (best apple pie/cake/strudle i have ever had!)

-there was a cool store that had different flavor infused vodkas in big glass containers on a wall. You picked out a bottle and they filled it for you. It was a neat "happy" to bring back to my friends --- I brought that and a bottle of wine so we could all have a little one night, easy way to get a gift for several people.

-it rained a lot but it seemed appropriate since the president had died and the country was in mourning with candles and walks around the city and flowers.

-we ate a traditional Jewish meal in the jewish quarter and I tried polish dumplings one day for lunch

-Polish people were quite friendly, very welcoming of Americans unlike some europeans

Here's the deal. If you are going on one trip to Europe and want to see the highlights, I would not suggest Krakow. There are more important places to see in europe. If you want off the beaten path --but still a city so there is enough to see and do OR if you like to see WW2/holocaust sites, this city is for you. Also, if you are making your 3rd/4th european trip, you might want to add Krakow in. I enjoyed it. I like saying I have gone to Poland. I feel I have seen a part of Europe most haven't. I feel like Poland is authentic, not too touristy. I enjoy learning about WW2 history, so It was important for me to see Auschwitz. However I was surprised by the fact that Krakow was an enjoyable city, not just a pit stop on the way to the concentration camp. I actually liked our time there. But, as I go back to europe, I will likely not go back to Krakow. Unlike Paris, Florence, Prague, etc, it was a one time place.

A prayer today for mothers.....

Today, i said many prayers for mothers....

I said a special prayer for my own mother who has put up with me - who was an incredibly outgoing busy opinionated sometimes difficult child. I said a prayer thanking God for giving me this mother and none other, knowing that we would have a special bond, and that she would have the strength to put up with 4 crazy kids! I said a prayer for my mother that she would continue to do a good job being a mother and a grandmother and that God would encourage her in this role.

I said a prayer of gratitude for the many other women who have influenced my life--who encouraged me and loved me - for my grandmothers, for my aunts, for my friends' mothers, sunday school teachers, mentors, etc. whom have all pointed me to Christ in some way.....what a blessing to have them in my life as well.

I said a prayer for many of my friends who are new moms--- with infants and toddlers. I prayed that they would be encouraged in these young years when there are sleepless nights and temper tantrums and learning the word "NO" and screaming the word "NO". I prayed for patience and rest and renewed strength. I also prayed for the many good moments too-- the cuddling, and falling asleep in your arms and bedtime prayers and first steps -- I prayed the good fun times outweigh the stressful times. I prayed these women have a support system as they parent young children to love the Lord and grow into great men and women!

I said a prayer for all of those who have lost their moms, whom miss them dearly and can't cook them a meal today, or buy them a card or say I love you. I prayed there would be comfort and joy in their hearts as they remember the good times and that the Lord would help ease their pain.

I said a prayer for the kids waiting for moms to adopt them, that their wait would not be long and that they would soon go home to a loving home with a mother who kisses their booboos and helps them with homework and bakes them cookies.

I prayed for my sisters, neither having children yet, that the Lord would continue to shape them to be women who would love sacrificially as mothers, the way our mother loved us. I prayed my brother would find a wife who would be a good mother as well.

I prayed for the many women, myself included, who are waiting to become mothers in the future, some who are just not to that stage yet (me) and some who have patiently waited and tried for children for years. I prayed God would work miracles and bring families and continue to prepare these women to be mothers. I prayed he would assure them of his goodness and soverignty as they wait. I prayed he would give them hope.

I prayed for mothers who have lost children and the grief they must feel today. I prayed God would meet them where they were and quietly comfort them in their heartache. I prayed that the Lord would bless them with memories and moments of joy during what must be a very difficult day.

Thank you Lord for creating mothers. How much better our lives are for having them!! Bless them all today and the rest of the year.

Sweet Tea? a blog for all things southern.

My friend has started a southern magazine blog. Its in the beginning stages and has only been out for a week, but I highly suggest looking at it......

Sweeteas Mag

Its going to be such a great project. I am so proud of her. Check it out.

Worldess Wednesday

Finally...an update

I know I have been promising an update involving Krakow (including Auschwitz) and Prague (including the countryside) but I have been so so busy here catching up at work AND enjoying life. I really am so so so happy in Jackson. I know my plan was always to move to DC and I love DC as well but I love my friends and my church here. I am truly blessed. I catch myself worrying because I am so happy. You know how it goes...never get to comfortable with a good life, because something bad must be around the corner. But I have decided that I should just be grateful that the Lord has blessed me with good days for now. There will be many many more rough times in my life, I am sure, BUT its nice to have a rest--especially after the stress of law school, finding a job, family stress, personal stress, etc. It is so nice just to enjoy living, and not be trying to make it through to the next step. God has truly blessed me in so many ways that I cant help being grateful. God is still good when times are tough, He is still present and faithful. I have wrestled with this and truly believe it, but he is kind and gracious to give us times that aren't challenging where we can truly just taste and see that the Lord is good.

The second reason I am postponing talking about my trip is because I want to tell y'all about my brave friend who is having twins and needs prayers. I have truly been impressed with her strength. So please be in prayer for these sweet little boys that you can read about here. I know you will be encouraged and even convicted by this family's strength. I ask that you continue to pray that the Lord protect and strengthen these little boys.

Hope everyone has been doing well.

I am back!

So I know I still need to update on Krakow and Prague, but a short update on my last 5 days. Due to a volcano in Iceland (yes all the way in Iceland) I was stranded in Prague for 4 extra days.

However, I was pretty lucky to have a hotel room that did not mark up the price, a friend who was stranded with me, and to be in Prague, both beautiful with fun little day trips to entertain us and you can eat and travel cheaply bc it is a former soviet bloc country. We were able to stay at our 4 star hotel for about 50 dollars a piece a night with cable ( a few english channels), a huge breakfast, large flatscreen tv, sitting room, free wifi, and comfy bed. Also, a little plug for our hotel-- the Red and Blue Design Hotel in Prague. The people were so kind to all of us stranded and the hotel is in a good location (main part but not so central that its loud in the touristy parts). It is also a really good deal. If I went back, I would stay there after how well they treated us.

Once I mourned the fact that I was going to be missing 4 days of work (unpaid) and I would be spending more money for hotel and food, I calmed down and realized well, I am going to be broke for the next 2 mths no matter what, so I might as well enjoy myself (although not too lavishly) I wont likely take another vacation for 6 mths so I was not going to just sit in the room all week.

So, we went on a jazz cruise of Prague at night, went to Melnik to tour a palace and take a wine tour, went to Karlovy Vary which is a spa town and enjoyed the hots springs mineral water and cheap massages. We also enjoyed different restaurants, some extremely rich hot cocoa at this cute cafe, and some shopping. More updates later on our entire trip, but truthfully, I loved Prague and love it even more after the people were so kind to us after we were stuck there. I would list it in my top 3 cities (along with Paris and DC)

Will catch y'all up later. I am now just glad to be at home - had lunch with a friend, dinner with friends tonight, then out for drinks if I can stay awake. I love Jackson and think its good that I missed it so much this week. I am where I need to be for now.

Short update on Krakow.. more to come....

I love Krakow. It is a very beautiful oldworld different city. It is not a place I will likely come back but it is a place few have been so I am grateful to have gone. We have spent the past 2 days seeing the Old Jewish Quarters and getto, the quaint town square with local shops, eating GOOD CHEAP food and going to Auschwitz.

a few key points:
(1) Auschwitz is the one of the hardest things I have ever had to see. I am glad I did it but will never go back (unless I take my kids). I think it is important to see, I am still upset about it and will have to think about it some more before really talking about it.
(2) Eastern Europe -even Poland, a part of the EU- is cheap. We have eaten good meals--with wine and dessert and appetizer both nights for very cheap (25-30 a person; 130-180 here)
(3) Whereas I did not like German food, I LOVE polish food - I tried traditional polish food, polish baked treats at a bakery, a jewish meal and a restaurant at a place AK discovered where all the "foodies"go-- polish with a western european twist -- i had duck with cherry sauce, SO SO SO SO good.
(4) I bought goodies for family member (some of them, and will continue to buy some more in prague)

More later. We leave tomorrow for Prague. Cant wait! But sad to leave this charming city!

Berlin

I almost did not make it to Europe....no lie. I sat on a plane they were trying to fix for 3 hours (in DFW) until they finally decided MAYBE we should fly across the big pond in a more reliable vehicle....so then I, along with the other passengers, were stranded until they found a new plane. We arrived 4 hours late in London, 2.5 hours after my flight to Berlin. So I had to WAIT in HEATHROW all day...with 3 hours of sleep and missing a day of my hard earned self paid vacay.

On top of that...I had to leave my hot winter coat on bc I broke my zipper on my jeans. Yes its true, it got caught on the fabric and i ripped to hard to pull it up and I broke it so I had buttoned unzipped jeans with NOTHING else to change into until 9:30 that night when I finally arrived in Berlin at our hotel in Berlin. This was of course, very frustrating, BUT VERY VERY par for the course in the travel life of Katy Braden.....ha, I get used to these silly set backs.

In Berlin, I was determined to NOT waste an entire day and I had recently slept all the way from london to berlin so I had a short second wind....I met up with Ann Kirk and changed before walking through the Kurfurstendamm neighborhood of West Germany to find a cafe to eat at. (Ku-damm as the locals call it is like the Champs de lysee in Paris or the Miracle Mile in Chicago...shopping area, very vibrant and feels safe since so many people are there. Glad we chose to stay here. We found this little cafe I had read about called Schwartz Cafe....a 24 hour artsy very local cafe. I had eaten lunch at 3:30 (thank you time change and how it affects eating/sleeping habits) so all I wanted was desert and I ordered this delicious apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. AK had a hummus dip. We had a great conversation and I immediately realized a years worth of emails/gchat has not done our friendship justice.

The next day, we got up and went to an adorable little restaurant for breakfast that AK found (riendharts) When in Europe, even coffee, toast and eggs seems fancy. We then went to see the Brandonburg Gate where Ronald Reagan said his famous words. I had my private memorial for him. We walked around the neighborhood, went to a market and a chocolate store then met for the "free berlin tour" (tips only) Usually I think that tours can be cheesy but this was the only way to see a city as large as Berlin in 2 days. We saw the Holocaust memorial, where Hitler shot himself, a piece of the Wall, Communist sites, etc. It was a good way to get a lot in and our guide was very good -- an Aussie who has moved to different European cities to give tours....we both agreed he was very good in history and we hope when he gets his wanderer phase out of him, he decides to teach high school or college.

Then we sat at a cafe and hot hot chocolate to warm up (it was bitterly cold that afternoon) before catching the U-bahn to go see the East Side Gallery. This is the largest remainder of the Berlin wall remaining. Several artists (particularly alternative or street art) were called in to paint pictures of freedom on this wall. So 1.3 km of wall are painted with pictures of what freedom means to commemorate communism. We then went back to the hotel to change for dinner--a wonderful Turkish meal (Berlin has the largest Turkish population outside of Turkey so this is a very big part of their culture) AK had written her thesis on Turkey's possible admission to the EU and she wanted to try Turkish food. The guy was very helpful in showing us what to order and also surprised us with Turkish tea and cookies.

The next day we saw the Riechstag, climbed to the top of the dome, went to see the Babylonian gates at the museum, and ate lunch at a cute little restaurant. Before leaving, we walked up and down Ku-damm and saw KaDeWe, the largest department store in continental Europe. I also was adomant that I try a currywurst like Samantha Brown did and my reaction was just like hers-- gross. I have now tried it and will never tried again.

After lots of almost failures (another blog entirely) in making it to Krakow (we serve a Big God who was watching out for us), we made it this morning, having slept fairly well in our sleeper cart. We checked into the hostel before heading out on the town to see the sights and see the mourning of the President's death. More on that soon, hopefully....I will update you on our wonderful day today, wonderful food and our upcoming trip to Auschwitz today.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today at noon, I am leaving work at going to the Jackson International Airport (oximoron i know....) to fly to Berlin. I can't wait to see Ann Kirk.... I will be there at noon tomorrow (german time) -- I think that makes my total flight/wait in airport time 18 hours-ish. yuck. Hope that have good movies but I dont care! I cant wait to be there!!

I will try to update on my trip, but lots of pictures when I get back.

Prayer

I was encouraged by this article. Sometimes we are told as Christians not to create a wish list for God, not to be only focused on asking for things, but to use our prayer time to communicate with Him, to thank him for His many blessings and to get to know Him better. And, while I agree that our Lord is not Santa Clause-- here to give us our every wish and desire; I do think we sometimes belittle the fact that the Lord can make big things happen---heal the sick, reconcile friendships and family relationships, bring community and family to the lonely, provide a job to the unemployed or the funds to go to school or the mission field, etc. And, there is a very real aspect of our relationship with God that comes from trusting him and bringing our requests and fears before Him knowing He CAN provide and that many times, He wants to. That although He cares more about our holiness than our happiness, He does care about our desires as well.

Also, others (Christians and nonchristians) don't expect God to step in and answer our prayers, so why not ask God to show them

Not what they're expecting

Thanksgiving in Vermont?

I am thinking YES. Check out Marley's news

Easter Weekend!

I doubt I could have planned a better Easter weekend. I feel so blessed to be living the life I am living now. Certainly there are things I want and hope for, but I have good family, friends, job, and a relationship with my Savior. And, I particularly love Spring and the weather. I doubt anyone can be depressed in 70 degree weather, atleast I can never manage to be!

Friday, my sister (Marley) came with me to Highland's good friday service. This service is more serious (despite everyone being dressed in jeans and work clothes because they just came from work/school/etc.) There is communion and a focus on the death of our Savior because of our sins...I think taking the time to focus on the sorrow of the cross made the Joy of the ressurection even greater for me on Sunday. Afterwards we went to a cookout with young adults (and a few babies!) at my friend Becca's house. It was BYOM (bring your own meat) and marley and I brought shis kabobs..so good. After the cookout, I went to a friend's house. He had invited a bunch of us over to fronch porch sit, have a drink and chat. This is what I love about spring--- its so cheap! No pressure to go to a restaurant or bar. Its more fun to cookout or sit outside on a porch or balcony!

Saturday I had an early morning run then cleaned up and got an Easter pedicure. Then I met up with several friends from high school at the King Edward Hotel Bar. It was fun catching up with people I grew up with....even if its only once or twice a year when we are all in town, there is something comforting about the fact that I have known these girls since childhood. We may not be best friends, but we have known eachother a LONG time!

Sunday morning, I went to early morning service then 2 friends (Lisa and Ashton) joined my family for our Sunday lunch in Oxford, MS then going to the baseball game. It was a perfect day for a baseball game. My cheeks are a little pink and my legs are definitely darker from soaking in the sunshine while watching the rebels. Of course, the rebs did not win. I am convinced they cannot win on Sundays, they need a sunday pitcher. That was the only sad moment of the entire weekend.

I needed a weekend that was just about hanging out and having fun and getting stuff done...no baby showers or weddings or birthday parties or all weekend trips...just fun with friends and family.

Saying No

Taking a stand for Christ can cost you....maybe even 1 million dollars. read here...

Saying No

Calvinism is back.....

Calvinism is apparently back. Of course, having grown up PCA, I never knew it was out of style :-)

But, seriously, an encouraging article, especially when it refers to young twenty somethings and seminary students who are grasping ahold of reformed theology. This is a generation searching for more than the prosperity gospel.

Calvinism is back....

Easter

CS Lewis on Easter.....


"There is a stage in a child's life at which it cannot separate the religious from the merely festal character of Christmas or Easter. I have been told of a very small and very devout boy who was heard murmuring to himself on Easter morning a poem of his own composition which began 'Chocolate eggs and Jesus risen.' This seems to me, for his age, both admirable poetry and admirable piety. But of course the time will soon come when such a child can no longer effortlessly and spontaneously enjoy that unity. He will become able to distinguish the spiritual from the ritual and festal aspect of Easter; chocolate eggs will no longer seem sacramental. And once he has distinguished he must put one or the other first. If he puts the spiritual first he can still taste something of Easter in the chocolate eggs; if he puts the eggs first they will soon be no more than any other sweetmeat. They will have taken on an independent, and therefore a soon withering, life."


So true, life's blessings are only temporary blessings and pleasure unless we first seek Christ and understand His grace. If we do, then those blessings mean so much more. How I long for and struggle with that in my own life!

Prague

Since the beginning of our trip planning, I have probably been the most excited about Prague. It is supposed to be one of the prettiest cities in the world and I can't wait to find out why! We will be her 3 nights and 2 1/2 days (well 2 days and one early evening of exploring) This will be a great way to end our vacation.....our vacation, which, by the way, is in 9 days!! woohoo!

We are also staying in a chic boutique hotel that I found a super deal on (otherwise we would not be able to afford it....) It is called the Red and Blue Design Hotel....which, considering that Ann Kirk is a HUGE Ole Miss fan, I think is a great idea! Can't wait. I plan on seeing the opera or symphony and touring the castle and finding crystal...

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is the city we are visiting that I know the least about. In fact, the main reason I am going is because it is the closest city to Auschwitz. But as I research the city, I am super excited about visiting!!! How could I not be excited about this city with so much old world charm? I think it will be less crowded than Berlin and Prague since it is less touristy. I am eager to see Wawel Castle and the huge square which is the largest square in all of Europe.





Soon I will be here....

3 weeks from today...

....I will be touring this city.



and viewing this wall...



and seeing this famous building....



and walking through this gate....



and eating some of this currywurst...



maybe taking one of these cheesy boats....



Possibly, touring museums on this island....



Also, I could be seeing this famous sight...



And afterwards eating at one of these "beer gardens".....



and sleeping in this hotel.....



But most importantly, hanging out with this girl.....