Café "Olé"

Though I've watched this episode many times, I still laugh out loud every time I watch this scene! Lorelai just cracks me up... :) Hope you have a Café Au Lait kinda Day!

re·fresh (ri fres̸h′)

re·fresh

transitive verb

1. to make fresh by cooling, wetting, etc. rains refreshing parched plants
   like a cool rain shower on a hot texas day... "You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance." -Psalm 68:9- literally, this weekend, God refreshed the land.
   
2. to make (another or oneself) feel cooler, stronger, more energetic, etc. than before, as by food, drink, or sleep
   and during His rain shower, i slept. it was a wonderful nap. and God did miracles through it! i woke up cooler, stronger, and more energetic!
   
3. to replenish, as by new supplies; renew
   through this 3 day weekend, i was able to catch up on the things that go un-done throughout the week and the things that i feel are not worthy of my precious 2-day weekend time. somehow, all i needed was that extra day. i guess God's not the only one who needs a day of rest.
   
4. to revive or stimulate (the memory, etc.)
   due to various reasons, i have been down over the past few months. God used this weekend to lift me up. to help me refocus my priorities and remember the things He has taught me. He revived my spirit.
   

Related Forms:

• refresher re·fresh′er noun God, my refresher

it's funny what God can do when we slow down enough to listen to Him. how does my life become so cluttered with the noise of busyness? how do i allow it to get that way? and how do i KEEP it from getting that way? even with the weekends, sometimes it seems like i have to hurry up and relax before the week starts back up again. well, this weekend i had that extra day... and i'm telling you... it made ALL the difference! when sunday afternoon rolled around (the time i typically, unknowingly, and psychologically end my weekend) i realized i still had an entire day and a half left! though i wish every weekend could be 3 days long, i'm striving to keep my focus on Him so that EVERYDAY will feel refreshing.

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do!

I love daisies.

  They're so friendly.
 Don't you think they
 are the friendliest
    flower?

(name that movie!)

But seriously. I love daisies!
They always brighten my day!
... and not just literally!

the big picture of ME

Though I am at work almost all of my waking hours, my job does not define me. Up until a year ago, the question I was always prepared to answer when I met someone new was "What grade are you in?" or at least something to that effect. I loved being a student. But school didn't define me. In our culture, we tend to define people by what they do. A job is a huge part of your life. It's what you do "for a living". It's one of the first questions that's asked when you're meeting someone new or describing yourself to someone. Though I'm constantly asked, I have yet to find the perfect answer to "You're a what? ...what's an actuary?" But really, I wake up everyday with the same task at hand: going to work and doing my job... then coming home to study. It's a good thing I like what I do. But no matter how much I like it or how much time I spend there, my job does not define me. I am so much more than an actuary.

I have an amazing husband! And though he's one of the hugest parts of my life, my husband does not define me. Though we haven't even been married a year, it feels like Brad's been in my life forever. He is my best friend and it's such a blessing to get to "do life" with him! I love having someone to count on and to take care of! I love coming home to a delicious home-cooked meal (yes, I have my own personal chef!) and I enjoy taking care of my home. We are team. We are the best team! But my husband does not define me. I am so much more than a wife.

I could not live without my friends... but my friends do not define me. I am friends with lots of people, but the people who really come into my life stay in. Looking back, I can't imagine what my life would have looked like without the people in it that have helped me become who I am. The ones that have experienced my highest highs and lowest lows, the ones who taught me how to dance and laugh and LIVE, the ones who watched me make mistakes and then helped me get up and fix them... each of my friendships is precious to me. But my friends do not define me. I am so much more than a friend.

Though I've spent more time at doctor's appointments this year than I EVER have, my health does not define me. Lately it's seemed like my headaches have taken over my life. I can't make it through a conversation without them sneaking their way in and stealing the focus! I literally can't get them out of my head! But I have to remind myself that my headaches do not define me. I am so much more than a diagnosis.

I attend an amazing church, but my church does not define me. I am extremely involved in Terranova. I attend every Sunday, help out in the mornings, meet with my family group every Wednesday, go to fun events, and see people in my church "family" in my everyday life. But my church does not define me. I am so much more than a Terranovan.

I love to scrapbook, paint, create and doodle. I play the bassoon and the piano. I love to smile. I have dealt with depression. I am terrible at sports. I enjoy baking. I live in Georgetown, TX USA. I have a wonderful family. I have green(sometimes blue) eyes. I like to read. And shop. And listen to music. And journal. I want to open my own business someday.

But I am so much more than an artist. I'm more than a bad athlete, a great baker, and a music lover. I'm more than a green-eyed, sometimes depressed, smiling musician. I'm not just an aspiring entrepreneur, a sister, a daughter, a reader, an American.

None of these things define me.

I am who I am. Not like in the Bible or anything (Ex. 3:14). I just mean that I am me. I am who God made me. I'm not sure I like the idea of being "defined", but if anyone could define me, it would be God. He created me and He knows me.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ 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,
¹⁶ 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 139:13-16)

I am many things. And there are so many aspects to my life. But I am ever-changing and ever-growing. I cannot be put into a mold or a box. I won't fit. There are no limits when the limitless Lord is living through me.

This life is a journey, and I still don't know much about myself. But I am trying not to live by any definition that others have given me. And I am striving to keep from defining others by what they do, what they like, and what roles they play in life. People are mysteries that can't be solved and I love learning and putting the pieces together.

A Valedictory Address

Has it really been a year since I graduated from college??!?! And 5 YEARS since I was in Rory's shoes at my high school graduation? Man, has my life changed! Even in this year! I have received my full welcome into adulthood... bills to pay, a husband to live with, a 401k, and all that comes with a 9 to 5 (plus some!). But still, I think I will always be a student at heart. I wish I could go back to school... and maybe I will someday for some reason or another... or maybe just to do it :) Hope you enjoy this inspirational clip!

Culs-de-sac

This is my poor attempt to post something when I really don't have time to post a "real" post. I hope Rory and Lorelai can hold down the fort while I continue on with my crazy life!

Enjoy the plurs-al!