Appreciation

I appreciate people who work together. Life isn't meant to be lived on our own. Tonight, when the pregnant woman with the broken tailbone came to work anyway - no one offered to help her out. I don't believe that's Jesus.

There are, however, times when people do come together. Like helping each other roll silverware to make the job go faster, or taking a table for someone when they are feeling sick, or helping to figure out who stole your server book to take your tips for the night. People are meant to come together and serve each other, were we created for anything else?

On a similar note, I believe that God comes to us in different ways. Such as a distant friend who encourages us at just the right moment, or putting something in our way to slow us down when we are too busy and try to rush into things. For example (of course - did you think this just came out of no where?), when I moved to Nashville 2 months ago I was ready to jump into anything and everything. I had enough of the slowness that I experienced in D. C. I didn't want to spend 2 years finding friends, being 23 and going on zero dates, working in a job I didn't enjoy, or waiting to be involved in a church community. Oh No - I wanted everything to happen all at once, and I was determined to make it so. God has done a fabulous job of slowing me down, while still fulfilling my needs for relationships and money.

Here's to Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith - and his father who never stops loving me in ways that I didn't know I needed.

Midnight Thoughts

I have too many thoughts on my mind right now to attempt sleeping. I read, then watched a movie, journaled, and now it's blog time.

I have moved on in my job at Applebee's and am now waitressing and working in the kitchen instead of hosting, and loving it most of the time. Mostly, I love getting to know my coworkers. They have great stories and I love loving them. I've served some really cool people, too!

I've started to think about where and when I want to move to my own place here in Nashvegas. I finally found a church home, which will help. I was bursting full of joy and energy after attending this church tonight. I know that God is calling me to this community, he made it clear to many in miraculous ways. I already know at least 7 people in this church, and that was before I met others tonight! This community resembles the community I was a part of in D. C., and I am anxious to become involved. Plus, it meets at night so I can now work Sunday mornings and minister to the church crowd! I have always heard bad stories about the church crowd at restaurants, now is my chance to see how much truth is in that and to see how God can influence those stories through me.

This weekend I had many special privileges that I would like to tell you about. Friday night, I got to see my friend Roger and meet his lovely esposa, Holly. We had a great time of conversation along with Molly and Justin - my precious friends here in Nashville. Saturday I had an exhausting day of serving, but it ended with an amazingly deep conversation with one of the cooks. Less than two hours later, I was on the dance floor learning the cha-cha and showing off my swing dancing moves with my friend Luke. He's a great dancer, ladies! We topped the night off with ice cream and conversation. (can you tell I love conversation?)

Today - well, yesterday - I thoroughly enjoyed a Sabbath. After sleeping in, I watched movies with my cousin-in-law, then it was off to meet my new church community!

It's been a full weekend for me here! I feel richly blessed and full of joy. Although, I must admit, there is much on my mind regarding relationships here in Nashville. I appreciate prayers as I continue to settle in this new town and seek out God in new ways.

Peace be with you!

Disclaimer: As much as I don't want to sleep right now, I'm pretty tired so I'm not writing all that well. I hope you still enjoyed it!

Killer Bunnies

This game absolutely beats monopoly in my book. I can't really stand to play monopoly, truthfully. But I really love Killer Bunnies. I usually lose because I kill too many bunnies and then people try and get revenge. But I don't care. It's absolutely worth my time. Check it out and play it with all your friends.

Addition and Food for Thought

My dear friend reminded me that I left something out of my favorite things list. I have no clue how I could possibly not put this on the list...

12. Dancing!! Particularly Swing and Merengue. Just can't get any better than that.

And some food for thought:

"The world in which you were born is just one model of reality.

Other Cultures are not failed attempts at being you:
They are unique manifestations of the human spirit."

Wade Davis

Two more days until I'm with the fam for Christmas!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Things on my favorites list in no particular order:

1. The Alchemist by Paul Cohelo
2. Boundaries by Drs. Cloud and Townsend
3. Experiencing another country and culture
4. Being myself
5. Loving people
6. Chocolate and peanut butter
7. Checking my email
8. Real friends
9. Food - particularly pesto sauces and gallo pinto (not together!)
10. Making graham-cracker houses for Christmas
11. Making mistakes - maybe not my favorite thing to do, but something I seem to participate in on a daily basis. Might as well add it to the list!

Applebees is fun it's true!

Tonight was my last night of server training at good 'ol Applebee's. I've been working there for a bit now as a Hostess, and have spent time working for the kitchen. I'm now officially a server. That is....if I pass my final exam. I really never liked tests, which is partly why I didn't go to grad school. I like learning by doing - not by studying. Tomorrow I will memorize what ingredients create a Perfect Margarita and a Long Island Ice Tea - Top Shelf, of course. Then I take that test so that I can serve my own tables tomorrow night. Please come visit me sometime! I promise you'll get great service. :-) Maybe I'll even give you a free Sunday and sing you the birthday song.

Brand Jesus at Christmas

I finally went to my first Emergent Cohort meeting! I have been waiting three months to be able to go. Today we talked with the author of Brand Jesus. We discussed consumerism and Christianity, particularly relating to Christmas.

I have never thought so much about how my buying choices say something about who I am. Just the way that I dress, even if my clothes were given to me, dictate so much about my personality. The world has created a consumeristic culture, even when donating to charity. Everything about the way we live is related to consumerism. Something to think about when shopping....