August & all that this fabulous new month will hold: spending time with my dear Mr. Forney (t-minus 6 days!), the beginning of my final year of college (insert plethora of emotions here), and reunions with wonderful friends.
Insightful words. I started reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp today. It's an honest collection of stream of conscious ponderings from a woman who has long felt the pangs of sin and sorrow. One concept stood out in particular, when she was contemplating the beautiful simplicity of Luke 22:19 ("And Jesus took bread,
gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them...") The thing Jesus counts as most important in some of his final hours on Earth is thanksgiving. Ann also recognizes ingratitude as one of the primary causes of the fall, and notes:
"As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible" (33).
The more I contemplated these words, the more I realized how much of a attainable, fuller life they beckon. Not a painless life, nor one lived in ignorance. But instead, one that views sorrow in the light of Christ's own sorrow and wonderful Act of redemption, making my true joy and thanksgiving ever so possible.
On a far less serious note, my Santa mug. For providing me a wintery oasis (is that juxtaposition allowed?) away from the 104+ degree weather Kansas has been rockin the past few months. Dakota (
this guy) and I danced (because that's one of our favorite things to do) to "Walkin in a Winter Wonderland" together, after I sipped coffee from Mr. Santa's jolly brim.
Samples & pretend weddings! The place Graceanna is getting married at in October had a special wedding showcase tonight, so I went with her and my mommy. There were lots of vendors and food samples (I'm convinced food instantly becomes 10X better when it's free and in precious sample-size). Also, my strawberry was wearing a tuxedo. Seriously, it can't get much better than that.
It was fun to explore the place some more and imagine how beautiful GA's wedding will be. The reception hall was even all decked out in pretty wedding things, but GA made me refrain from clinking my knife on my glass to have all the couples in the room kiss--it really felt like I was at a wedding!
