oh yah! and we got 2 vouchers for free coffee on our next visit. sah-weet!

somewhere along the way this year, i seem to have forgotten about the beautiful simplicity of this–to gaze upon His beauty.  and i’ve found that when my eyes are fixed on Him, He opens my eyes to see as He sees, to love as He loves, and to speak words of life and truth into others that draws them into deeper intimacy with Him.

and when i take my eyes off of him, i began to sink.  i lose faith in the transforming power of the gospel.  i judge those around me.  i become that which is of the world, when my citizenship is that above. frustration consumes me.  and the words of life that once flowed so naturally from the overflow of His love are lined with sarcasm and contempt.

i wonder if that’s what happened to peter when he walked on water.  he got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.  but as his eyes drifted away from the beautiful jesus before him, he was afraid and began to sink.  lord, save me. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him. you of little faith, why do you doubt.

yet unlike peter, when i sink, often times i don’t cry out to be saved. i’m quite comfortable drowning in my circumstances.  at least i know what’s going to happen.  and what better bff is there than cynicism. well…pride i guess.

to gaze upon the Lord, though a simple concept, takes great faith.  because like peter stepping out of the boat, it means going into the unknown, allowing the Lord full control, believing in His power, being still before His majesty.

it is indeed a gift from God.  to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon His beauty, to meditate in His temple.  and when i falter, and more importantly cry out for help,  i am amazed at the way he is so quick to draw me back, rebuke me, and continue to teach me in His ways.

congratulations!!! women everywhere are rejoicing that you are finally betrothed and will no longer be wreaking havoc on unsuspecting ladies. FINALLY!

moving on!

edition 4.8 of non sequiturs galore!!! and here we go:

gogop tried to eat my other fishies. he now has a new home in michigan.

i still havent gotten a harmonica.

a handsfree harmonica holder would be very handy.

my birthday is may 14th.

i like meatloaf

…not the singer, the food.

the word “nuts” and “Awesome” shouldnt be used in the same sentence, whether or not there is pointing involved.

it’s fun to talk in a russian accent an pretend your name is vlademir while in the privacy of your own home.

…it is not so appropriate to do so just as your russian health economics professor walks in the door.

according to a friend, it is appropriate to raise your hand during a song that says “all the single ladies lift your hands up” as long as you aren’t married.

your boyfriend may not agree with all the things your friends say.

new brooks running shoes dont grow on trees. money grows on trees. duh.

i too miss the Milgram experiments.

when someone asks, “is this vegetarian?” it’s not a good idea to say “yup!” when you’re not really sure.

the end.

note to self #2: buy a harmonica

note to self #3: food network makes me hungry

note to self #4: when referring to someone as “nuts” for example, “that guy is nuts!”, its probably best not to say something like, “awesome nuts!”

the end.

in related news, meet gogop, my new fish.  isnt he handsome?  poor guy.  i wanted to buy him a girlfriend, but it turns out, he’ll kill and eat gogoette after having his way with her.  fiesty little fella.  alas, he must lead a life of loneliness and celebacy.  sort of like a lot of people i know. HAHAHA. i kid i kid. or do i…? please don’t kill me. 

pray hard?

you might think thats disgusting. i would say, yes it is. 

you might say, thats crazy. i would say, youre crazy!

you might say, you’ll gain 200 pounds! i would say, at least i’ll be warm!

you might say, no one wil lever love you again. i would say, why not? there will be more woman to love.

ok fine. what is really going to happen is that i will pay $5.99 for the hugest pumpkin pie on the planet. eat one slice. and then feel really sick. and then see my $5.99 in the garbage an hour later.  and then want more and then go back to costco and pay another $5.99 to do the same thing all over again. 

this is the life of the shmoopios.

a.too lazy

b.in the middle of something

c.don’t feel like getting up

d. cold

e. other ________________

so you just sit in your chair, continuing to do what you’re doing, crossing and recrossing your legs every few minutes or so until you finally give in and sprint to the bathroom, JUST BARELY making it in time?

yah. me neither…

ahem…

pennies!