2010: the year of the hat....part one

Three more to come! Get used to them, they will show themselves a lot. I think that 2009 was the year of the scruffy hair. One of my resolutions is to straighten it a lot more often. It's amazing how long and silky it gets. Thank God for electricity. By the way, the BEST hat is to come!

The next decade

I want to write more, much more, but must reserve my time for studying.
But I wanted to share two updates.

First, my wonderful, kind, honorable and upstanding boss, Congressman George Radanovich, will not seek reelection in 2010. I am very sad for our team to break up, but I am praying diligently and fervently for George and his wife, Ethie, who has been fighting Cancer for a few years now. Please pray for her healing and for comfort and protection for the Radanovich family. Their son, King, is still in elementary school. They are a devoted Catholic family and I have really grown to treasure and respect and love them.

Second, this month I start paying off my graduate student loans. It is scary, but I feel so grown up. I am 25, and I have a 10-year repayment program. That means, paying only the due balance each month, by the time I am 35, I will have completely paid off and completed my doctoral program. I can't wait until then, and it doesn't even seem that far away. The sooner I start, the sooner I am done.

My test is in January. As soon as I find out the date, I will let you know!

Hang loose, Baby

Let's pray all goes well. So excited, but wearing Michael's wetsuit might be a bit too big and cumbersome. We are headed to sandy San Diego Monday.

Talk to ya on the flip side, Bro.

Twenty Five

Wow. I am excited to turn 25. I feel more like a bona fide adult. No more "young adult" for me, but I do feel young. I have such a dearth of life experience, I am so untried, inexperienced, immature.

It always strikes me as ironic that my sister's name is NOEL, even though my birthday is two days before Christmas, and hers is in July. Oh well, our names suit us, respectively.

 Merry Christmas, and thanks to all of you who sent me birthday well-wishes. I appreciate it so much!

PS...I asked my parents and family not to get me any presents, but they didn't listen. I will report back with what I get.

PPS...I had steak for the first time in my life (that I recall) last night from Tahoe Joe's. It was good. I had about three bites. Looking forward to steak salad this afternoon!

A Jealous God and the Phantom of the Opera

I remember watching the 2004 film version of the “Phantom of the Opera” in an IMAX theater at the River Park Edward’s Cinema. The Andrew Lloyd Webber soundtrack was etched in my mind and expectations, because it was one of the few CDs I owned and had treasured for so much of my childhood. I remember permanently “borrowing” the soundtrack from Auntie Andrea, along with a few others that I still prize, such as the Amy Grant collection, and the “My Best Friend’s Wedding” soundtrack that I loved before I was even allowed to watch the film.

I remember loving every moment of the Phantom of the Opera film, and crying when I got home that night. And crying the next day when I was telling my friend Bobbie about it. The movie struck such a chord with me. Now, almost six years letter, I think I know why.

Magnificat and Biblical Christmas Songs

This is an excerpt from a sermon that changed my life last Christmas. It reminds us that true, authentic Christian spirituality is not about us. True, authentic Christian spirituality is about GOD, Emmanuel. If you think, "Um, Duh" please read this! It's got so many more layers than just the obvious. The sermon is about Christmas songs.

Readers?

Hey all. I know several of your check this blog often, but if you could just say Hi once in awhile, I would love to know that people continue to check it out. Please feel free to comment anonymously or otherwise. I would totally love it. I wish I had a "Like" button like on Facebook.

Love you all!
Juliet

p.s.-- its just my good friends that know about this blog, so no weirdness in posting with strangers.

Okay...maybe I DO want something for Christmas

What about a job designing for NIKE? I love this. Next up, some pink patent leather!

Sporting a new hobby

I am so excited to go snowboarding for the first time in Badger Pass in Yosemite. I have wanted to try it for a long time, and I will be going with my BEST friend in all the world and her boyfriend and my brother, and some other friends. I feel like this sport will suit me...balance and strength.

And it goes hand in hand with surfing later this month as well. Thank you Jesus for making this dream come true.

Christianity: not your fuzzy wuzzy

"What people don't realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. It is much harder to believe than not to believe. If you feel you can't believe, you must at least do this: keep an open mind. Keep it open toward faith, keep wanting it, keep asking for it, and leave the rest to God. "

--Flannery O'Connor (The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor

Ha Ha Ha...Top 20 Unfortunate Lessons Girls Learn from Twilight

Taken from a blog, http://www.wired.com/underwire/2009/11/twilight-lessons-girls-learn/

1. If a boy is aloof, stand-offish, ignores you or is just plain rude, it is because he is secretly in love with you — and you are the point of his existence.
2. Secrets are good — especially life-threatening ones.
3. It’s OK for a potential romantic interest to be dimwitted, violent and vengeful — as long as he has great abs.
4. If a boy tells you to stay away from him because he is dangerous and may even kill you, he must be the love of your life. You should stay with him since he will keep you safe forever.
5. If a boy leaves you, especially suddenly (while telling you he will never see you again), it is because he loves you so much he will suffer just to keep you safe.
6. When a boy leaves you, going into shock, losing all your friends and enduring night terrors are completely acceptable occurrences — as long as you keep your grades up.
7. It is extremely romantic to put yourself in dangerous situations in order to see your ex-boyfriend again. It’s even more romantic to remember the sound of his voice when he yelled at you.
8. Boys who leave you always come back.
9. Because they come back, you should hold out, waiting for them for months, even when completely acceptable and less-abusive alternative males present themselves.
10. Even though you have no intention of dating an alternative male who expresses interest in you, it is fine to string the young man along for months. Also, you should use him to fix things for you. Maybe he’ll even buy you something.
11. You should use said male to fix things because girls are incapable of anything mechanical or technical.
12. Lying to your parents is fine. Lying to your parents while you run away to save your suicidal boyfriend is an extremely good idea that shows your strength and maturity. Also, it is what you must do.
13. Car theft in the service of love is acceptable.
14. If the boy you are in love with causes you (even indirectly) to be so badly beaten you end up in the hospital, you should tell the doctors and your family that you “fell down the steps” because you are such a silly, clumsy girl. That false explanation always works well for abused women.
15. Men can be changed for the better if you sacrifice everything you are and devote yourself to their need for change.
16. Young women should make no effort to improve their social skills or emotional state. Instead, they should seek out potential mates that share their morose deficiencies and emotional illnesses.
17. Girls shouldn’t always read a book series just because everyone else has.
18. When writing a book series, it’s acceptable to lift seminal source material and bastardize it with tired, overwrought teenage angst.
19. When making or watching a major feature film, you should gleefully embrace the 20 minutes of plot it provides in between extended segments of vacant-eyed silence and self-indulgent, moaning banter.
20. Vampires — once among the great villains of literature and motion pictures — are no longer scary. In fact, they’re every bit as whiny, self-absorbed and impotent as any human being.

Um, Yum!

CURRIED SWEET POTATO AND LENTIL SOUP

This thick and hearty soup is packed with spicy flavor. Get it going, then call a friend or spend some time with the kids while it simmers.


INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 medium sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 large stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 large onion (12 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon grated, peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 package (16 ounces) dry lentils, rinsed and picked through
6 cups water
Yogurt, toasted coconut, lime wedges (optional)

PREPARATION
1. In 6-quart Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes, celery, and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, curry powder, ginger, cumin, coriander, salt, and ground red pepper; cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. To vegetables in Dutch oven, add broth, lentils, and water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Serve with yogurt, toasted coconut, and lime wedges, if you like.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/5077#ixzz0Zo1q5nNj

In the morning, my soul longs for you -Isaiah 26:9

I am sitting in the final exam while the students in my section are taking the exam. I should be studying for my own exam in January, but I am so keyed up after a full day at work. I love my job. I love my coworkers and the little filial ecosystem we have going there, but after reading and writing and folding and assigning all day long, my brain needs respite. Oh so bad.

I was talking to my cousin, Pastor Kent (he’s my dad’s age, because he is my dad’s cousin, too), one morning quite early. I got up at 5am Pacific time, because it felt like 8am Eastern time. I’ve always known him to go to bed early and get up early as well. And I always knew that he read his Bible early in the morning. But on Saturday, December 12th, the day of Jennifer’s wedding, I got to talk to him about it. He said he gets up at 3am every day for his quiet time. I asked him if he reads his Bible or prays. He said that the routine changes. Sometimes he prays, sometimes, he reads then prays, or prays then reads, or sometimes he just cries and cries.

Oh how cathartic. Just to sit down in quiet time with God and cry and cry. Kent works hard in the thankless role of a small town pastor. He doesn’t have a “cushy” life, but it is filled with love, and a cozy home, and people under his pastoral care. I was so inspired by his words. I felt overwhelmingly convicted about my lack of, or the shallowness of, my quiet times. How often do I get up out of obedience, rather than an agenda? And, more pertinently, how often do I get up early at all? God, help me! I would love to rise early, get cozy, and settle in to hear from you. I KNOW that you would meet me like you meet Kent.

Getting up early is sacrificial, and it is literally putting God first. Jesus, help me to do this. Ruth Bell Graham did this during college, to the point that she almost flunked out of college. That’s pretty funny. I think that Jim Elliot also got up inhumanly early to pray. God can replenish our bodies and our time. I was getting up and doing my Bible Study early for a long while, but then the cold came, and the stress and anxiety and fear, and I caved. I began hording my time and using it to worry about my exams. What to do? I need to surrender and get myself up out of my warm bed to seek the Lord.

Thanks, Kent. I need to spend time just open to God’s leading, to listen, read, write, speak, memorize, or just….to cry and to cry and to cry some more. Oh so healing. And so amazing to hear it from the lips of a time worn and world weary pastor who has seen and been through so much.

Another Tender Tennessee Christmas

So...this is my mom (the light Blonde with poofy hair), my Auntie Caedamon (Or Auntie Em) with the long dangly earrings and strawberry blonde hair, Auntie Andrea, the birthday girl, with dark hair, my little cousin Katie (age six, I think), Michael (Well, UNCLE Michael), father of Katie and husband of Andrea, and rockstar extraordinaire :), and ME of course. I love my people

To all my missionary friends

(I wish I had more missionary friends...)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUs__HBg3rU

This Christmas song is YOURS. It is an amazing, jazzy rendition of a song I never much cared for until a few weeks ago, when it dawned on me that it is so pertinent to the Great Commission and to missionaries, who truly do "Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere...that Jesus Christ is born."

The most honest prayer

I heard this second hand from some (brilliant) authoress, who said that the most honest, gutteral, instinctual prayer happens when you step out in front of a moving car, or your are deathly afraid, or you whimper as I often do, the following small phrase:

"Help, help..."

And then today I heard this, which is also so true: If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. It's just the constant churning.

Oh boy, do I have a lot to tell...and I promised to, and I will, but I need to unlock my lips and my fingers and my heart just a small piece at a time. But there is a lot to say.

I'm the Sheep, in need of the Shepherd

Psalm 23 (Amplified version)

The Lord is my Shepherd (to feed, guide, and shield me), I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but for His name's sake).
Yes, though I walk through the (deep, sunless) valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod (to protect) and Your staff (to guide), they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my (brimming) cup runs over.
Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord (and His presence) shall be my dwelling place.

I love the subtleties of "He leads me in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but for His name's sake). That means a ton to me right now...the "not for my earning it..." part.

If I pass my exam in January, it will not be for my earning it. I am trying to break away from the reliance on self that says, "I will do all I can and then He will do the rest. I just have to set the stage for God..." That is NOT TRUE! It is ALL Him. So I am reliant, and I need to be walked through that Valley. Please, Jesus, prepare me for this horrifying test coming up next month. I don't know what to do, I am rather paralyzed.

California

I must be homesick

Where I've been...'cause I haven't been home

I can't wait to upload pictures from my past few weeks' adventures. I went to Spring Hill, Tennessee for Auntie Andy's 40th birthday. It was tons of fun, as my mom, Auntie Caedmon and Auntie Andrea as well as little Katie and I got to spend time together.

Then, I went to Bieber for my cousin Jennifer's wedding. It was gorgeous. So wonderful to spend time with her, especially before such a huge occasion. I can't even imagine what it felt like for her as we rode to the church. And I can say that, sitting there, next to her trembling arm, I was glad that my wedding is beyond my immediate sight. I am happy for her, but definitely don't feel ready to dive into that type of commitment yet. Scary, yet good, if it's the right person.

Bieber, and all of Northern California, I should say, was incredibly beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen anything as breathtaking. North of Sacramento is open, hilly, rural, pastoral, and sweeping. Northeast of Redding was mountainous, cold, the sun was setting, there was snow on the ground and covering the huge mountain ranges. We had to cross three major mountain ranges before reaching Bieber. We had to (or my Dad had to) put chains on his Toyota truck. But we got there, past the old-time, quaint, small town pizza shops and beauty parlors, the small churches, and the storybook homes.

I never wanted to leave. I cried on the way home not because I wanted to stay forever, but because whenever I leave, I have such a LONG way to go home. It is so far away. Although I cannot adequately describe the beauty and my photography is lacking, The area reminds me a bit of the exchange home in "The Holiday" where Cameron Diaz goes to stay. It's originally Kate Winslet's character's home. Except in the movie, the local town is much more upscale and trendy. Bieber is just plain old rural and country, except for my cousin Andrea's cool salon, and Jennifer's revamped youth center with a coffee bar and pool tables and stage and rec area. Wow...Jen...good work! And congratulations on the marriage. Derek-- you are sooooo lucky to get my cousin. She rocks.

Will I make it?

So, one of my dearest friends is getting married tomorrow. She's also my cousin. I haven't seen her in probably seven years.

I hope I make it to the wedding. For me to get there, several things have to happen. Some of them already have.

I have to leave my house at 3:45 to take SuperShuttle to the airport.
I have to connect in Chicago, and I'm crossing my fingers over the weather conditions.
If I make it to Sacramento, my parents have to pick me up and drive almost six hours to Bieber.
It is likely that the snow will prevent us from getting to Bieber.
SO, I may miss the wedding.
And, I have to be back in DC on Sunday night. This is nightmarish, but I'm hoping!

A lie I believed

Have you ever heard this:

Its easier to say "I'm sorry" after the fact than ask permission to begin with?

WRONG! I am trying to be much more upfront and honest about everything. When I get scared or anxious, I procrastinate and then have to deal with the ramifications later. Even if the ramifications aren't bad, I have all this internal dissonance and stress about having to apologize later.

Not worth it. Get the unpleasantness out of the way from the start.

Muscles

I have been asking around about the best ways to stay warm in this wintery weather. Since I am too lazy to blow dry my hair most nights, I have been sleeping in a hooded Fresno State sweatshirt, and last night I wore a big knit scarf wrapped tightly around my neck. I also had the hood tied under my chin to keep my wet hair from being exposed to the cold air. On my bed, I have my sheets, an electric blanket that does not work, two quilts, a down comforter, and my amazing zero degree sleeping bag. It feels heavenly to go to bed. I stay perfectly warm.

But when I sit and study, I turn to marble. I get so cold, and I am so still and stiff and unmoving when I study, that all the warmth leaves me. My hands get stiff and cold like a dead person. Maybe those fingerless gloves would be good, to allow me to type even when I am freezing cold.

But the best thing to warm me up is to use my muscles. I am sitting here right now dreaming about it. Not like doing cardio exercise or running, but actually using my muscles. I would love to have a gymnastics gym near me, with mats and trampolines and bars and mirrors, so that I can do more muscle building activities. slow, suspended and methodical movements are so relaxing.

Last week, I was watching home movies with my aunt in TN, and the first thing on the disc was a routine that I choreographed and performed in front of my entire elementary school. It was a gymnastics routine, and I was super impressed by my little ten year old self. Wish I were still as limber and lithe. See Shawn Johnson here.

InterFaith Friendships

My Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday office is more often than not the Starbucks attached to the Gelman Library on the George Washington University campus. We call it “Gelbucks.” Someday, I will have to tell you about the unique aspects of my University that make it all at once intimidating and glorious.

Gelbucks is the busiest Starbucks in the District of Columbia, and I would venture to say that it is one of the busiest in the country. It is open 24 hours during the school year, every night except Saturday night.

There is an interesting clientele of regulars at Gelbucks, which is largely due to the unique nature of the student body at GW. I do not know them at this point, but by the end of the school year, I hope to know them personally.

First, all through the summer, every single time I was in Starbucks, there was a man in his 40’s, usually wearing a yarmulke or kippah, and his table is always covered in large, dusty, well-worn and intimidating Hebrew books. I assume that he is a Rabbi, or at least another type of Hebrew teacher. Hour after hour, young Jewish students, usually males, but a few women as well, come in to meet with him. The Rabbi should win a prize for his energy and enthusiasm in trying to make these young students see how important their history is to them. I have always tried to determine whether he was emphasizing the cultural, historical, traditional, doctrinal, or Scriptural aspects of Judaism. There is such a split in Judaism between Orthodox Jews who uphold the letter of their Scripture, and those who are Jews in name only, and are in fact heavily left-leaning. I am so curious about his faith, and whether he thinks that the students are responsive, or whether their parents make them meet with him to hopefully lead to some accountability.

A second individual I have seen, though less often, is a tiny woman, draped in heavy, long clothes, always wearing a dark colored hat to cover her hair. I assume that she is an Orthodox Jew, probably in her 30s and very plain, but very soulfully and exquisitely beautiful. She is so petite and unadorned, but her large eyes and peaceful countenance are so lovely. She also studies a heavy Hebrew text and I noticed her meeting with female GW students last week. I wonder if she is a religious teacher, a counterpoint to the more gregarious male Rabbi.

Third, there is a woman who kind of reminds me of myself. She dresses similarly, and has long, wavy hair, however, her hair is a natural burnt orange color. She meets with her students regularly, and I overheard her tell someone that she is Catholic, and she is a professor here. I think she is a lecturer rather than a tenure tack professor, but I don’t know. Today, she is talking to students about philosophy, and church history. Definitely a friend in the making, I hope. Very friendly and warm as well.

Fourth, when I attended the Iftar (last day of the Ramadan fasting for observant Muslims) dinner with some InterVarsity students in September, we sat at a table with a man from Egypt who is here for a year studying in a graduate program on campus. He is here in DC, away from his wife for a year, and unable to go home. He is often here, skyping and talking to her on his computer. He is an observant and respectful Muslim man, very kind. I am sure that I could learn a lot about his faith from getting to know him.

So, I need to be active and bold in pursuing these new friendships. I have starry eyed dreams of an “Interfaith dialog of local Starbucks patrons.” We would certainly be an interesting bunch.

Hide-n-Seek, "Hiding Stinks"

Hey Sister-Friend,

When do you hide? What makes you duck when you see someone you know approaching, or lay low rather than assert your voice, presence or opinion into a relationship?

For me, I suppose that it is when I feel “behind,” like I have dropped the ball on something, or I have not been diligent and responsible. Hiding is always covering up my indiscretion, or not following through with something I have assented to. I feel guilt and shame because I don’t live up to my perfectionist inclinations.

Another reason is fear. I remember so vividly watching an episode of Gray’s Anatomy nearly three years ago (which was one of the last times I watched the show, by the way). In this episode, a woman had ignored and refused to see a doctor regarding a growth on her neck that kept growing and growing into literally a HUGE tumor the size of her head that was so obvious. It was a malignant tumor, but she never went into the Doctor because she was too scared to find out what was wrong with her. Because of fear, she procrastinated. Her fear led her to a fatal condition. I realized, then, that any procrastination I was overlooking or nursing in my own life was rooted in fear.

At that point in my life, I started heavily battling fear. And that ultimately culminated in me cutting back from my full time work load, and my life has improved incredibly since then. I am not quenching the Spirit as much by yielding to fear.

At some points, insecurity also has prevented me from facing something head-on. When I didn’t have my hair done, or my makeup, or when I decide to wear flat shoes once in a blue moon, sometimes I would rather escape an impromptu chat session.

So, when you duck so you don’t have to see someone, why is it? Is it the nagging conscience over negligence, irresponsibility, laziness, insecurity, or fear?

Alternatively, when all of your ducks are in a row, when you are responsible and put together and you feel classy and sophisticated and elegant, isn’t it WONDERFUL to run into people on the street and get the chance to say hello? Don’t you go out of your way to flag someone down just to catch up?

What makes the difference? I think it is inner peace, a responsible attitude toward one’s life and priorities, and the confidence that comes from a healthy interest and cognizance of one’s appearance and personal style. Other people respond to this very favorably. You can always spot a shrinking, fading, and insecure person, and it is always unattractive.

So, chin up, hold your head high, and stride on to face the tasks of the day. I will not be hiding myself.

One way I need to make sure that I combat this “hiding” is in my room. It is messy. Always messy. Nowadays, it is not a disaster area as it used to be, it is merely messy. A thorn in my side (NO! that is a victim mentality). But I am taking responsibility for it and it will be organized and put in line by tonight! Promise. Check back with me tomorrow. Hold me to it.

Notice, please, that the reason we duck/hide from someone else is entirely about US, never about them. So turn that around. When people behave in a dishonoring toward you, it is almost always about them, not about you.

I'd like to meet you

This is a repost from my Mom, but it is a very sweet song about the anticipation of friendship, love, and anyone special to you that you have yet to meet. Make sure you watch the video as well, it is part of what is sweet about this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaPbVjcrp4

I DON'T KNOW by Lisa Hannigan

I don't know what you smoke
Or countries you been too
If you speak any other languages
other than your own, I'd like to meet you

I don't know if you drive
If you love the ground beneath you
I don't know if you write letters or you panic on the phone
I'd like to call you all the same,
If you want to
I am game

I don't know if you can swim
If the sea is any draw for you
If your better in the morning or when the sun goes down
I'd like to call you

I don't know if you can dance
If the thought ever occurred to you
If you eat what you've been given or you push it around your plate
I'd like to cook for you all the same
I would want to
I am game

If you walk away, I could keep my head
We could creep away
In the dark
Or maybe now
We could shoot it down anyway

I don't know if you read novels or the magazines
If you love the hand that feeds you
I assume that your heart's been broke
I'd like to know you

You don't know if I can draw at all
Or what records I am into
If I sleep like a spoon or really at all
Or maybe you would do
Or maybe you would do

If you walk away, I will keep my head
We will feel our way through the dark
Though I don't know you
I think that I would do
I don't believe at all
at all at all at all

If you walk away, I will keep my head
We will feel our way through the dark
Though I don't know you
I think that I would do
I don't believe you at all

'Tis the Season for Ice Skating and Tree Trimmings

I'm going ice skating on Saturday! Is it so bad that my first thoughts were, "Oh, what kind of cute ice-skating outfit can I put together?"

Also, my friend has 5-year old twin nieces who share my December 23rd birthday. Last year they asked why no one else had "Birthday Trees" like they had. (Get it?? They thought the Christmas trees were their birthday trees). So this year, I guess the real celebrant of the Birthday tree is little baby Jesus.

Just another reason to adore my birthday. Not that the day means much to me, but I really love the seasonal celebration and yuletide joy.

And.....sometime in the next few weeks, maybe even next week for Thanksgiving, I am going to make some Biscotti! Yum!

How God Helps Me Out, part 1 (in the Kitchen)

There are some dramatic things that I could put under this heading, and one may come in the next few days, but it would just take too much energy and weight right now. For now, here is my lighter scenario.

A few month ago, I attended a seminar with my Capitol Hill prayer group about “Heavenly Hospitality.” The speaker, a very gracious, put-together and experienced hostess, in some sense spoke over our heads. In doing so, she spoke into our destinies. Most of us are young, poor, and live alone or with a handful of other young, poor DC-ites. We can’t offer the same kind of hospitality that a 50 year old couple in the suburbs can. But here are some timeless guidelines she bestowed upon our eager minds and starry dreams.

First, open your home. Taking people to a restaurant, while kind, is not the same as showing hospitality. There is a certain “magic” about visiting someone’s home, and a certain vulnerability is shared. Meeting for coffee at a cafe is nice, but a dinner or brunch at one’s home is special and rare. Moreover, your home needn’t be perfect. Let that go. No one’s home is perfectly clean and organized, and sometimes that can be intimidating.

Second, always be prepared. The speaker has a pantry full of food that she can “whip up” if she has unexpected guests that she or her husband just invite over on a whim. In fact, they stock up so that they CAN be obedient and spontaneous when the Lord moves and leads them to invite people over.

Third, don’t exclude. The speaker stressed that “heavenly hospitality” is intended to share the Gospel with non-believers. People without Christ and without the church are often the most starved for intimacy and fellowship and community. Therefore, these individuals should be the ones we put first in inviting into our homes. It is the perfect foundation for conversations about faith. Again, being in one’s home is a completely different setting than at the Starbucks or Le Bon Café down the street.

I made a commitment to myself at this seminar to build up a store of food that I could put together when I feel the need to invite people over. All too often in the past, I have wanted to invite people over, but had nothing to serve them, whether coffee, lunch or dinner. So I bought some basic ingredients: pasta, sauce, and ground beef for spaghetti, I made and froze soup, bought a large bag of frozen chicken from Costco, and gathered a few other things as well. I also received a Crockpot as a gift (thanks, Auntie Caedamon), which has been tremendously helpful.

Because I took these steps to be prepared, I feel that God has really helped me out and given me creative ideas about what to make and what ingredients I had in store.
Now, I have not been diligent in inviting people over to make the whole meal, but I have contributed items to home-gatherings and parties. Here’s the latest.

(By the way, as an aside, my roommate inherited some Top Ramen and Mashed Potato flakes from an old roommate of hers, and has been trying to get rid of them. Just keep this in mind as it plays into the miracle of the story!)

I needed to bring a dish to a large baby shower for 30 women, and I didn’t have much to work with. However, I had just inadvertently half-thawed four large frozen chicken breasts (by leaving the freezer cracked open) and I had three heads of lettuce from a Costco bag. I was going to make chicken salad, but don’t like it Caesar-style. Then I remembered the Top Ramen noodles and decided to make a Chinese Chicken salad with the top ramen, chicken, lettuce, and I would make my own dressing. All that I needed to buy for this huge salad was a small can of mandarin oranges, that was less than a dollar! So I was able to contribute to the spread with very little cost to me. God helped me be creative with what I had and not go out and buy a lot of ingredients and try to carry them all home on the Metro. I also got creative with dressing, and made my own using the juice from the mandarin oranges, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce (sweet), a bit of apricot jam to add to the sweetness. It was great! Anyway, this felt to me like God was providing for me as I was dedicated to being prepared. He made it work!

The second scenario was that I invited my friend over for lunch yesterday. As I was thinking about what to make, she responded that she would love to come, but she only eats fruit, veggies and nuts. That’s okay with me, because those are my favorite things as well. But a quick assessment of my pantry showed me that I had almost everything I needed for our beautiful meal. It was the most colorful salad I’ve ever seen. We had romaine leaves, corn and garbanzo beans, fresh cranberries, and perfectly, and I mean perfectly roasted nuts that I had toasted. Topped with lemon juice. I also cut up my sweet potato and put it on top because it was such a deep russet color. We also had red delicious apples cut up with cinnamon and lemon on top. Again, without me having to go out and purchase much at all, we had a delightful meal.

Here’s the kicker! I am planning on having a small dinner party for a bible study that meets at my house every Thursday night. One of the girls is turning 30 and I just wanted to do something nice, since it’s a big birthday and she is very much the woman who goes out of her way to celebrate other people. I decided to make a dainty, feminine meal of chicken corn chowder with green side salad and sourdough bread and a yummy dessert, and possibly white wine. So as I was looking up recipes for what I needed to make chicken corn chowder, I realized, to my amazement, (because I don’t even know where to start in making this soup) that I need to buy only about three ingredients….the creamed corn, green onion, and one potato. I have all the other ingredients, down to the mashed potato flakes that my roommate inherited months ago! I chuckled when I realized that the mashed potato flakes were in the recipe because that is such a God thing…using what we have already, and blessing me for being prepared and trying to build up my “pantry” and stepping out in faith to try to be hospitable and give what I have.

Honest Confessions and "More Love to Thee"

[excerpt from a letter to a loved one of mine...the Truth of my heart just tumbled right out. Tread carefully, please]

…I wish I could just sit down and talk to you for a good long time, face to face. And do I ever HEAR you on the walking this thing out with just you and God. That has been the tenor of my life for a while now. There was a period over a year ago when I felt that I was supposed to be just pondering, collecting, and storing things up silently in my own mind and soul, to work out between just me and God. It was a time of silence and near-loneliness for me, but it was so good because I, too, have always run to the phone or email to pass on the experiences I was having and to gather up everyone’s opinion on an issue. That is not bad, per se, and God has given me such lovely and wise counselors in my life, but at the same time, sometimes it just NEEDS to be you and God alone. He needs some alone time with us. There is very much a time for Holy loneliness... I really felt called to solitude for a time. It also coincided with ending my full-time work schedule, so I wasn’t at work with ample time to email, so that helped, too. I did find that it helped me move forward (or away from) certain relationships that it was time to move away from.

I also know what you mean about letting other people have too much influence in your decision making. I have found that I am a people pleaser who gives too much power to others. When they are happy with me, I feel confident and good about myself. When I am not getting affirmation from others, I tend to be insecure and anxious and worried. But I read this amazing little tiny poem that has stuck with
me. It says:

“To inoculate me from the praise of man,
He baptized me in the criticism of man,
Until I died to control of man.”

…I don’t even really know what [I love you] means. I don’t know when I love someone, I don’t know what it means to be loved, and I don’t know what it means to be loved by God. I know He loves me, but I don’t know what that means. I do, know, however, that I love Him. I know what that means. And I pray to know even more love for my Savior. The woman who wrote the book “Stepping Heavenward” wrote the amazing old hymn, so simple but so true, “More Love to Thee.”

You can listen to a snippet of it here: (By Fernando Ortega, one of my favorite artists of all time).

But, yeah, I don’t even really know what it means that God loves me. I don’t doubt it, but I just don’t know that I receive it very well, if at all. I need to be more vulnerable and let people love me. And I need to love others more. I serve them and like them, but I don’t know what love is.

…In some ways, I feel like I don’t have anything to bring to a relationship. Especially in DC, people here are homogenous and everyone is good at the same things I excel in, and are interested in the same things as me. I don’t have any interests or hobbies or talents or anything like that at all. I don’t do anything unusual or interesting, and at this point, my “hobby” includes jogging on the Mall.

It is such a privilege for me to watch [all of my friends growing and excelling]. But sometimes it is hard, too. I feel like life is whizzing right by me. And frankly sometimes I feel so boring and like I don’t have anything going for me. I know that what I am working toward is a thankless goal, that will have one big payoff at the end, but boy has it just been an uphill marathon through the rain and snow and sleet and icy wind. It would be so nice to have a husband to love me and encourage me and affirm me in this. Instead, I feel like my accomplishments are going to the be the very thing that presents a barrier to achieving what I truly want most in life, to have a family full of children who will love Jesus and live out his Gospel in a community where other people will come to know Jesus.

So I am more scared today of where my life will end up than ever before. But I have faith that He who has called me will be faithful to complete it in the end. I am just in a funk, with my cousin getting married, and other friends not far from it. Wow, what different lives we lead. And it is so hard to be away from you when all of this is happening. I had intended that when my exam was over in September, that I would have free time to travel and connect with you and my family, but I feel like God has taken that away from me for the time being…

Security Blanket

Amy Grant is one of the most beautiful people that I know (or would like to know). This song is beautiful. Cece Winans, though I am not overly familiar with her or her music, is a gorgeous, glowing woman. Together, these three elements present something that approximates the meaning of "home" to me. It is angelic, and of the heavenly realm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf6fGqEfewc

"Christian" "dating"-- both words belong in quotations

Want to enter the strange and trendy new world of old-school Christian dating? Well, you need never look farther than this website/web-magazine I recently found that highlights what's good and what's really scary about being a young adult in today's age. Very interesting stuff; I can take some and leave some of it, but it is definitely interesting and counter cultural. It's Focus on the Family run, and interestingly enough, it publishes articles by a man I grew up with in Clovis....it's always nice to see thoughtful, Spirit-filled adults that grow out of our childhood acquaintances. Check it out and...brace yourself...it can be a little revolutionary.

boundless.org

Winter Shoes

Tall, water resistant, reflective of the clothing colors whether brown, black, or red, these shoes are perfect for me!

A healthy heart is good medicine!

Speaking of healthcare, I am so very grateful for my medical insurance. I haven't had any emergencies where I "needed" it, per se, but I definitely have made a point to go in and get my regular check ups. Today was one of those days, and it just feels so good to be able to put your life in order and to be proactive in your health.

There is a significant amount of satisfaction that comes from a healthy body. To that end, I have been cooking in the crockpot, and it is AMAZING! Meals are ready to go when I get home from school or work, and they are healthy and hearty and exactly as flavorful or spicy or salty or tangy as I want it!

Anyway, yay for being able to go in and see the Doctor when I want to, and you know what? I like my Doctor!

Abortion is not health care

Last night, the House of Representatives sent a resounding message that abortion is not health care. Tax payer money will be prohibited from funding abortion in the new health care bill. This is a huge victory.

I am so grateful and thankful for the conviction and concern of members of Congress like Bart Stupak (D-MI) who stand up to leadership and remain true to the Truth that all life is ordained by God. Thank you Mr. Stupak, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Radanovich, and the many others who stand for life and truth. God bless you! And may He use me and others in similar fashion in our lives, to be the voice of Truth in an unfriendly and hostile situation.

Ft. Hood

Yesterday I spent an hour writing a Veteran's day statement to be given to soldiers and their families and veterans in California. I prayed first, and then sat down and began to compose out of my creativity and spirit. I wanted to encourage and honor and bless our self-sacrificing servicemen.

I spoke of the work that our military has done in Afghanistan to lay the goundwork for a democratic, though tumultuous election that took place early this week. I spoke of how the most important and worthwhile efforts in life are always costly, as our WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can attest to.

I was so pleased to bless them with the Numbers 6 blessing from Scripture, and I submitted this document and it was accepted and slated to be read. I went to bed feeling very rested and contented in this work.

This morning, I awoke to detestable news. Thirteen soldiers had been shot and killed at Fort Hood, Texas, by a Major in the army. Although his motives are uncertain-- they could have been religiously based-- it is a tragedy on many levels. I am so sorry, so sorry, and so prayerful for the families of the deceased and wounded soldiers who must face this Veteran's day in the wake of such loss of life. It is even more unfortunate that this massacre occured from one within the instituiton of the military. I pray that healing and reparation can be made this side of heaven, though we know that all justice and truth will occur only when we see Him face to face. All the questions of the world will grow dim and inconsequential when we encounter the one called Faithful and True (Revelation 19). Jesus, come back soon for your own. Heal our land and protect us all as we seek to glorify you.

Hidden in my Heart

I am really trying hard to memorize Scripture. To get it DEEP down there in my bones, in my marrow, so that it changes the way my brain and all my synapses and joints and cells operate. I want what Stanley Jones would call a "Christian Body." I want every elemental physiological and psychological and biochemical cell in my being to resonate with Scripture, which is Truth Alone.

So here are the verses that God gave me to start out with. Now...they are from memory so if I missed something, have GRACE for my poor overworked brain.

Abraham Believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness Romans 4:3

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen Hebrews 11:1

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

You formed my innermost parts. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me. Galatians 2:10

Burn Pile

I love getting rid of clothes. Every time I step into my room and cannot see the floor, I feel the need to reassess my living strategy. A cluttered closet is the symbol of a cluttered life. And in my case, my cluttered closet spills over onto my floor, into my mind, and closes in on the light and order of my mind and heart. Time to bring out the garbage bags.

I do this often. Very often. And I rarely buy new clothes. Therefore, in the past two years, I have given away over three times what I currently own. That is a great amount, however, it is never enough. I need to pare down even more. I want to get rid of my dressers, and only have my rack in my closet and my rack in the laundry room with which to hold all of my clothes.

So, where do I start?

Last time, a month or so ago, I got rid of everything that I don't wear often, that does not fit me perfectly to a T, or is not the best color for me. That left me with a more selective and flattering and likable wardrobe. Plus a plethora of workout clothes.

Now, I am getting rid of clothing based on the neckline. Crew necks, turtlenecks and other high necklines shorten me. The goal for flattering fit is lengthening and helping me create the illusion of being taller, so I will only wear scoopneck or, better yet, V neck tops. All my crew neck tee shirts, then, will be gone within the week. I guess I will bring them to Tennessee in a few weeks to give to Auntie Andy. She could use them, I'm sure.

Sooo excited to pare down even further. What should I do next?

Love
Juliet

So It's been awhile.....

Life is new, and life is bright and it is shiny and promising. The winter is almost over. The semester is almost over. I can almost go home to California. Not too long to wait now.

I have few NEW things to share I guess, at least in the past few months.

I love my house, and I love St. Peters across the Street.
I love Washington DC and could see myself living here for quite awhile longer.
We are getting a new roommate, which will be interesting, and I will no longer be the "new one."
I have found a wonderful church community with incredible people.
I have been studying the Holy Spirit, and my life is very new and different....purposeful in everything.
I have a newfound love of prayer and a desire to pray without ceasing.
I received a new task at work which is really to my liking.

I will write more when I can!

My adult spiritual gifts

I heard a sermon at Frontline yesterday about administering God's grace through using your spiritual gifts. I decided it was time to figure out what my spiritual gifts are...because the last time I took a quiz I was in Jr/Senior High. So I took a quiz this morning, and just got these results. I have to say, my strong scores are spot on. I didn't think a test could so ably measure my passions and energies. I think that this has renewed my desire to teach and guide college students through research, writing, and teaching at the university level. And although I didn't know what exhortation was, after looking it up, I realized that it goes hand in hand with teaching. The Faith gift is something I never would have imagined a year ago, but now, I see how true it is.


Score Graph of Score Spiritual Gift Statement / Response
23 ======================== Writing 28 = 5 56 = 5 84 = 3 112 = 5 140 = 5
23 ======================== Teaching 24 = 5 52 = 5 80 = 5 108 = 3 136 = 5
21 ====================== Faith 9 = 5 37 = 3 65 = 5 93 = 5 121 = 3
20 ===================== Exhortation 8 = 5 36 = 5 64 = 5 92 = 5 120 = 0
17 ================== Celibacy 3 = 3 31 = 5 59 = 3 87 = 3 115 = 3
16 ================= Encouragement 6 = 5 34 = 5 62 = 0 90 = 5 118 = 1
15 ================ Hospitality 13 = 1 41 = 3 69 = 3 97 = 5 125 = 3
15 ================ Wisdom 27 = 3 55 = 5 83 = 5 111 = 1 139 = 1
14 =============== Apostle 2 = 5 30 = 1 58 = 3 86 = 0 114 = 5
14 =============== Discernment 5 = 5 33 = 0 61 = 1 89 = 3 117 = 5
13 ============== Knowledge 15 = 5 43 = 3 71 = 1 99 = 3 127 = 1
12 ============= Prophecy 23 = 1 51 = 1 79 = 5 107 = 5 135 = 0
12 ============= Evangelism 7 = 5 35 = 1 63 = 0 91 = 1 119 = 5
12 ============= Missionary 19 = 3 47 = 5 75 = 3 103 = 0 131 = 1
10 =========== Pastoring 21 = 1 49 = 5 77 = 3 105 = 1 133 = 0
10 =========== Poverty 22 = 1 50 = 5 78 = 1 106 = 3 134 = 0
9 ========== Helps 12 = 1 40 = 5 68 = 0 96 = 0 124 = 3
8 ========= Leadership 16 = 3 44 = 0 72 = 0 100 = 0 128 = 5
8 ========= Giving 10 = 3 38 = 0 66 = 1 94 = 1 122 = 3
6 ======= Miracles 18 = 5 46 = 0 74 = 0 102 = 0 130 = 1
5 ====== Administration 1 = 1 29 = 0 57 = 1 85 = 3 113 = 0
4 ===== Craftsmanship 4 = 3 32 = 1 60 = 0 88 = 0 116 = 0
4 ===== Music 20 = 1 48 = 3 76 = 0 104 = 0 132 = 0
4 ===== Mercy 17 = 3 45 = 0 73 = 1 101 = 0 129 = 0
0 = Healing 11 = 0 39 = 0 67 = 0 95 = 0 123 = 0
0 = Intercession 14 = 0 42 = 0 70 = 0 98 = 0 126 = 0
0 = TonguesSpeaking 26 = 0 54 = 0 82 = 0 110 = 0 138 = 0
0 = TonguesInterpreting 25 = 0 53 = 0 81 = 0 109 = 0 137 = 0

Scarlett or Melanie?

I wonder what Margaret Mitchell struggled with in life....my suspicions are that she struggled between being Scarlett O'Hara and Melanie Wilkes. It's truly a conundrum, that!



Deep down one (hypothetically of course) can be Scarlett through and through, but constantly trying to be like Melanie. But if Melanie is who one becomes, one could look back on life without any satisfaction of having will and fire and Scarlett's "passion for life."

So do we (especially as christians) try too hard to be the Melanie's of the world, all the while forsaking the more difficult, and possibly more rewarding task of conforming a Scarlett spirit to the image of God?



Second, can a Scarlett EVER be a Melanie on a bad day?

Why does Rhett Butler respect and revere Melanie so deeply but love Scarlett despite her absolutely opposite (to Melanie) nature? Would Rhett have loved Melanie if Ashley wasn't there first?

Last, is Melanie like that because she is inbred? ;) I sure hope so!

Escape to "Evening"

There's few times in life where I am so fully moved by pictures, films, books. The last time a movie really struck me was, silly as it is, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I must have grown up a lot in the past two-plus years, because I was equally moved by a movie featuring a woman on her deathbed.

I saw the movie "Evening" on Friday afternoon. Now it is Monday, and I have not stopped thinking about it since. It was beautiful, set in Newport, New England at a beach mansion. It is a wedding, and the bride's best friend is the protagonist. The setting is gorgeous, the relationships REALISTIC, and the emotions so true to form that I bawled through nearly the whole thing. It was not sad, not really romantic, not really inspiring. Really just Beautiful.

If you are a woman and you know me, if we are like-minded, PLEASE see this movie. I promise it will enrich your experiences and life and help you see people a little differently.

Do you remember.....

The last time you fell down?




I know my little entries are very commonplace and boring, mainly because I don't want you to know personal stuff. If my autobiography ever comes out, it will NOT be published on the internet.

But I took a spill yesterday. I had my amazing, tall shoes on and I slipped off a curb and scraped my leg on the curb and the asphalt. Because I am high off the ground, due to my excessive height, it took me awhile to completely tumble, and I have three large areas of injury. As an adult, however, I did not allow myself the luxury of crying.

But it did make me think, and feel thankful that falling over is a rarity as an adult. So when did you last fall?

If you want to get married....

It's probably not a good idea to live where I live. Interesting!

Front Row

Riverdance

Last Saturday night, I was so blessed to attend RIVERDANCE. I had wanted to see this show many times, and have watched the videos. I love the music, the dancing, the costumes...EVERYTHING!

My friend Bonnie had extra tickets and offered one to me. She got them from her boss. When we got there, we discovered that our seats were in the frontest of front rows. No one was in front of us. I was overwhelmed, and the show was incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was amazing to know that WE were the people feeding energy to the performers. THey look to the audience for energy and encouragement. It was our faces, screams, and applause that set the tone for the evening. When I get pictures, I will forward them along.

Brethren Neighborfolk Bedfellows

I guess I thought no one ever read this....I just kind of documented my little misadventures here, but Noel's comment hit a funnybone with me...she said it must be a long camping trip. It wasn't really, but two funny things did happen.

I spent a long time choosing a sleeping bag to take with me to Prince William National Forest. I bought a 0 degree mummy bag, anticipating a camping trip like the thousand others I have been on. A thick, stuffed sleeping bag is beautiful and warm and snuggly on a cool night. I loaded up the very few sweaters, jackets, and thick socks I owned. We struck out on our adventure, and started the drive deep into Virginia.

About 30 min. later, I asked "where's the mountain?" Elizabeth veered her eyes from the busy freeway.... "Mountain?" she asked, "We are only ten minutes away. there's no mountain." She chuckled at me. Ten minutes later, I stepped out into the National Forest....all 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity of it. My mummy bag was definite overkill and useless on that outing. And the only cool clothes I brought were on my back.

Part II. There were about 20 cabins to rent per night. We had one (4 people). A group from University of Maryland had two (8 people). A group named "ETHAN" had 10 (40 people). I grew concerned, because my mind conjured up every Fraternity Brawl in the Forest I had (never) seen. We had a three year old with us, and were all concerned about this "ETHAN" group.

The Univ. of Maryland group ended up being either a Math Club or Sierra Club, or some other unglamorous thing. They were decently behaved. The ETHAN'S never showed. At 11:00pm-ish, we decided to kill the fire and head to bed to be swarmed by the heat and the bugs. As we readied for bed, the ETHAN group showed up. All we saw were men in their 20's and 30's...but they were quiet.

They behaved peculiarly, however, because they were dragging cots from one cabin to another....suspicious!!! But off to sleep we went (or try to sleep, that is). I woke early to read and sit in the one cool moment of the day. Around 6:30, the men slowly left the ETHAN tents to get ready for the day. They were all wearing suspenders and plain wool clothes....hmmmm....was it a cult? Then I saw the women, with their long sleeves and netted hair.

The ETHAN'S were not a brawling fraternity fiasco....they were Plainfolk!!! Amish, Mennonite, whatever.....and 40+ of them lived at Prince William National Forest with us. What are the odds?