The Adventure Led Me Here

With the best of intentions, I open up a notebook to a fresh sheet of paper every year on January 1st. Pencil scribbling across the pages, I write a list of things I want to accomplish during the coming year. I usually lose the list by mid February. I love making goals. I love working towards something. However, more often than that, life happens. It gets busy, and my goals and resolutions fall to the side faster than the dinosaurs went extinct. This year is different. This year, I'm not making any resolutions (I am resisting the urge to slip in the "my resolution is no more resolutions" joke). I am, however, developing a theme for the year that will guide it. Be intentional. Intentional with every aspect of my life. So often, I drift through life somewhat aimlessly, the days passing by like wispy clouds on a spring day. No more. I want to be intentional with my time. If I'm looking up something on my phone, I don't want three hours to pass wit...

Four Ways Your Life is Like a Tub of Hummus: 1). Hummus comes in many flavors. Guess what? Your life comes in many flavors. Somedays life is sad (basil pesto hummus...who really likes that flavor?). Sometimes, it's exciting (spicy hummus). Sometimes, it's calm (plain hummus). 2). Hummus can complement food or stand alone. Yes, it is possible to eat hummus plain. You can choose to have a significant other (my hummus's significant other is usually celery) or you can be single. It's cool. 3). Hummus is unique. Even its name is unique. Hummus. Hummus. Try saying that five times fast. Your life is unique. Just like hummus. 4). Hummus never loses its charm. You never lose your charm. Because you're cool. Like hummus.

Sometimes, I like to pretend I'm a writer. I'll sit with my laptop and plan and formulate story ideas and attempt to type out the words in such a way that will bring the characters to life. As part of my secret desire to be an author, I have a writing board on Pinterest (let's be honest; I have everything on Pinterest). On this writing board, I pin writing tips, inspiration, and quotes. Every so often, I'll stumble across a quote that demands to be heard. It will grab me and hold me until I acknowledge it. Recently, I added a quote to my writing board that I have not been able to get out of my head or my heart. It's six words, but there are a library of books in those six tiny words. "Write what should not be forgotten." Isabelle Allende. I'm not presumptuous enough to think that I have anything particular to write that needs to not be forgotten. My tiny ramblings are but a vapor in the air. But what should not be forgotten? What do we need t...

I love Christmas. The lights. Shopping. Music. Cookies (I love cookies year round, but Christmas makes them even more fabulous!). Family. The crispness in the air that tickles your nose. And I love the reminder of hope it brings. Our world is chaotic. Crazy. Broken. The struggles and pain of suffering burdens my heart daily. Over 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, hope arrived. Not in splendor. Not in grandeur. As a baby. A baby laid to rest in a manger, no less. God knew. God knew every tear that would fall from my eye. God knew that pain every person would feel. God knew, and God knows. Through a tiny baby, God showed us a glimpse of hope. Our hope isn't in what we see. It's in what we don't see, in the things yet to come. It rests in a baby who would grow up to save us. Hope arrived, and hope is with us still.

Today, I learned an important lesson about the value of listening. I’m a student teacher in a first grade class room. Today was “hat day,” which is a big deal because it’s the only day during the whole year that kids are allowed to wear hats at school. During reading time, one of the girls rushed up to me, anxious to show me the “special way” she could put on her hat. I was busy with another student, so I redirected her back to her work. After I was finished with the other student, I noticed that the girl was back at her table, but hadn't started on her work yet. I walked over to redirect her. "Can I show you my hat now?" she asked. I was about to tell her “later,” and ask her to get to work, but then I stopped. I realized that right now, at this moment, what this student needed was to be heard. This was important to her, and her mind clearly couldn’t focus on anything else. "Sure." Her hat demonstration took less than thirty seconds, but her whole ...

I am in a stressful, busy, hectic season of life. But I can't wait to see where the adventures lead me. Life is big and grand and full of things to explore and people to love. God is big and grand, and He created life. This adventure has led me to where I am today, and I can't wait to see what is in store.

I recently turned 23, and since I adore lists, I'll give you a list of 23 things I've learned since becoming 23. 1). There are no catchy songs titled '23.' The song with Miley Cyrus doesn't count. 2). 23 feels so much older than 22. 3). People will still offer you the kid's menu at restaurants. 4). Pumpkin Spice Muffins are amazing. Okay, I already knew that, but I was reminded of the fact. 5). You're never too old to take a selfie. 6). Being older doesn't mean that you can't sing Jonas Brothers with your friend during your break at class. 7). God is still there. Through every age, and through every season. 8). Sometimes, when you turn 23, you learn you're going to be an aunt. 9). You may teach your first drama class and completely enjoy it. 10). Your driving may not improve. 11). But at least your braking reflexes will improve. 12). But you still may almost hit the car. 13). You don't, though. Because you're a...

How to Change the World (In Four Easy Steps) I will admit, my title is a bit misleading. As much as I wish it could be, change can’t be quantified into a series of steps or a checklist. As much as I love reading those descriptive lists (10 Ways Your Life is Like a Tub of Hummus), life is messier, complicated, an enigma. You can’t always group people and emotions into neat little categories or a four-step program. The internet is not very helpful either. There are so many conflicting opinions. “Do this challenge!” “This challenge doesn't really do anything.” “Help people by donating money.” ”Your money isn't leading to long term solutions.” “Help people globally.” “Stay out of global affairs.” Trying to bring about change can feel overwhelming. I want to make a difference, but it’s often hard to know where to start. There is so much hurt. So much despair. So many broken, hurting people, and I am one of them. It’s enough to make your head spin. Although changing the w...

I am currently in grad school and have found it to be crazy awesome experience so far. I'm busier than I've ever been, but I am excited about becoming a teacher, and I have the best professors and an amazing cohort. I wanted to share some tips to survive the crazy adventure of grad school :)     If you never drank coffee before, now is a great time to start!   Coffee is everywhere at grad school. Often it's free. Take advantage of it.   If you're stuck in traffic for two hours on your way home from grad school, having a dance party in your car is a perfectly acceptable option.   Likewise, if you're stuck in traffic on your way to school and are going to be late, you have a couple of options. 1). Play Disney music 2). Sing loudly 3). Make up a song called 'Traffic Tuesday' 4). Play air guitar 5). Have a mini dance party 6). Do all of the above <-----my personal choice   Buy a planner. And folders. Sparkly f...

This is me. I'm a dreamer. I'm a twenty-two-year-old free-spirit dancing through life, focusing on the joy in the moments, the joy in this crazy thing we call life. I'm the strangest person you'll ever meet. I name everything. I drink entirely too much coffee and hot chocolate. I'm gluten-free and vegan. If you have any recipes, shoot them my way! Of course, I probably won't cook them so they're edible, but we can try. I want to change the world. I'm a grad school student with plans of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Jesus is my everything. I say I like mango smoothies, but then I remember I've never actually tried one. This is me.