Grace Notes

Monsters

2012-01-25T22:49:00.001-08:00

The monsters in my closet

At eight years old

Surely have followed me

Into my twenties

Bringing with them scarier costumes

And graver consequences

For believing their power

My fears have followed me

But so has my spirit

Strength

2012-01-05T10:54:00.001-08:00

Strength should not be measured
by weight or appearance
nor by how much we withstand

Strength is more
knowing full well
what lies ahead
experiencing the disasters
of the world
listening to the words
spoken against you
And standing in the midst
feet planted
into the concrete
raising your gaze
from the ground

To see what is ahead
to see what is good

That takes strength

Death of Moammar Gadhafi

2011-10-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

I was so struck and intrigued by the images I saw of people lining up to see Moammar Gadhafi's body in Libya, so I decided to put myself in the line and try to feel what these people might have been feeling.

Death of Moammar Gadhafi

Standing body to body

in a line of hundreds

maybe thousands

curved and legged like a caterpillar

slowly stepping

one limb at a time

toward a victory, a reward

to prey upon

We are victims and now we victimize him

to take our place

to take our scars

If only we could see his lifeless, bruised body

then we could feel free

In line, we wait anxiously

for death to turn into life

Words

2011-10-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here are two poems about the lovely topic of words. Enjoy!

Words: I love and hate

For they hold power over me

to encourage and to destroy

to bring greatest joy

and to give greatest hate

tugging me onto either podium

happiness or hatred

I have given words this value

by putting them on such a level

that they define and evaluate

too much, of what is my value

Words so many days

are too much

on our tongue, clinging to minds

that won't let them free

Is it just me or

do some words lodge into our being

while others float by

uninvited and unnoticed

Who determines what

we will remember

what stabs our ignorance and

what we say that's never heard

Maybe it's clearer

when we turn off our mouths

and find the words that fell away

Seasons

2011-09-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

I looked up and saw what had fallen upon us

In the changing of trees

The saturated colors of death

So many days we carried the heat

On the sweat beads of our backs

Waiting for wind’s relief

And so many steps I wanted to go back

To where I was before the seasons

Ran so quickly and left me behind

But the words of the wise lifted my arms

And pushed my heart in front

Leading blindly but forward

And now my tired eyes awaken

To how nature works its ways

And births something more beautiful than pain

The thing about band boys is...

2011-08-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

I just found this poem that I wrote quite a few years ago about boys in bands. Enjoy!

The thing about band boys is...

They are fun to look at but not to date

Their music is great, but they’re always late

Their hair is cool, and they’re style sweet but somehow they manage to hit on every girl they meet

Sure they’ll write you on myspace but never call

Their life is going great unless their band takes a fall

You come to see their shows, but they don’t care

You’re a small concern compared to what they’ll wear

They’re poor as dirt and sometimes they smell

And rarely do they ever come out of their “I’m a rock star” shell

After the tours have ended and the music stops

You finally see that band boys don’t really rock

Fruit of the Earth

2011-08-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Taste this sweet red plum

And let its juice run

Down your young, fair face

‘Til you feel joy come.

Peel a peach with teeth

Like a shark to prey.

Eat ‘til there is bone

And your skin smells sweet.

Crunch a ripe pear slice

‘Tween stone-hard white teeth

And bite through its shell

To find what is nice.

Take fruit off the tree

Each day and be free.

(Un)organized

2011-07-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

I hope I'm more than

just your to-do list

Spouting, spitting and spinning

with appointments

May you see past the lists

and into my (un)organized heart

Wishes on Fish Hooks

2011-06-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Craving new experience

like a child hungering

for the sweet dew of a strawberry

to tame the salty sting of summer

Soon. Soon.

Soon hangs in the air

like the balloon I've let go

floating into the azure abyss of sky

and I wonder

will it ever come?

Will a new day ever arise

out of yesterday's crumbling high rise

Breath, just breath

is all I can control now

while my wishes are on fish hooks

baiting tomorrows

Ode to the Midnight Bird

2011-06-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem I wrote the other night while listening to a bird sing through every call imaginable outside of my apartment at 12:30 a.m. Although I found it odd the first night this happened, I'd like to think he lulls me to sleep and is my little friend who stays up late, too.

Ode to the Midnight Bird

O midnight bird

you must be confused

for you've tried every trill in the book

You are much too late

or hours too early

for calls so bright and cheery

But for now keep swelling

while us artists are dwelling

on the night's creativity

Sing with vigor

o midnight bird

before dawn steals the show

Unleavened

2011-05-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

I am one of the Hebrew children, running

out of the chains of Egypt

in too much haste to let my bread leaven

I'm leading someone, if not just myself,

to a different world

I heard my Deliverer's voice

and saw Him move winds

With each sandy step

I know more and more that it is our time

to step out of slavery

and into sonhood

Although I can barely see my next step

as my last print blows away

I am where I'm meant to be

at this moment

My history becomes my destiny

and my walk, a legend

My feet bake in the sun

My bread is unleavened

Rainstorm Rebirth

2011-04-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

I forgot the way the rain smelled

like mother nature's dryer sheet

making it appear as the ground started fresh

born again with dew

heavy with weight of washing

rivers form and coolness melts

the tendrils underneath the drops

Some say the earth cries when it rains

I say it's coming back to life

Hope knows

2011-03-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:5 "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

Hope

knows no shame

it sees no fault

it believes in all

Everything

is accountable to hope

with its grandeur of possibilities

Challenging

our hearts and heads

to not feel the ground

of weighty gravity below

But

to lift up toes

to reach the height of breeze

We must see you

Before we feel you

Hope

Heaven on Earth

2011-03-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

This poem is based on how we as humans assume that we can create a sort of heaven on earth with all of the best possessions around us at all times. I find it humorous how, especially as Americans, we try to sort of create an eternity based on what we might need, as in stores that never close and have everything that anyone could ever need or want.

Heaven on Earth

We think we are heaven

with our all-day hours

and extra large portions

The camp we've built

could never be invaded

Our fridges are filled

with favorites from above

our manna lies in a drive through

Planning for forever

we save and worry and save

building on our days

Must we try

to create a creation

that has already been Created

Show me some love

2011-02-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a poem to get you out of that post-Valentine's rut.

May Love

May love move us

Into the shoes of the person sitting next to us

And into the hands of the needy

May love guide us

Into the situations that scare us

And away from people who wound us

May love seal us

Into the letters we live out

And ship us into the wide world to explore and be loved

May love blend us

Into many shades of peace

In the midst of a graying world

The Small Things

2011-02-09T20:08:00.000-08:00

"We cannot do great things on this Earth,

only small things with great love."

-Mother Teresa

One of my dear girlfriends, who I met during my semester at Oxford, sent this quote to me on a cutely creative, homemade Valentine's Day card. It amazed me when this card came less than an hour after discussing the idea of this paradox of the significance of small things with some other women. This concept seems to be playing out all around me this week. Although I'm definitely still learning what it means, I'm finding myself at peace with the idea that the little things in life make all the difference.

This is a bit difficult to grasp, myself, as someone who has secret dreams of being famous and a constant need to be saving the world in some way. My life, with all of it's pieces and puzzles that I can't figure out right now, has been teaching me to hold on to the insignificant things. One of my favorite parts of my favorite book (The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis) is how the devil in the book pushes his "student" devil to convince the human that all of life is ordinary. He instructs him to show the human that nothing about life is extraordinary, mysterious or meaningful. The worst thing for us as humans is to expect everything to have a clear-cut answer, a recipe and no coincidence. But, thankfully, this is not so.

I have been learning that living life to the fullest is about finding joy in being stuck inside with snow covering every piece of the ground outside, loving the quirky things that people do at work and baking 2 1/2 dozen chocolate chip cookies for one person. Although I could be spending my time being depressed because crazy weather means I won't get to see my boyfriend any time soon, how annoying my coworker's personality is or how depressing eating chocolate alone is, I am slowly experimenting with embracing these things.

Even if we can't change the circumstances around us, we can change how we react to them.

Many times we can't control what happens to us or where we are in life, but we can find small things to enjoy along the way. Like that Switchfoot song says, "Happy is a yuppy word." If we are looking for the people and things around us to make us happy, it won't happen. But I've found that putting love into the little things that comprise our lives and others can speak louder than our wishes and wines.

-Grace

One is the loneliest number

2011-02-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today it snowed again. It's my day off of work anyway, so I'm spending the day alone entertaining myself. I've totally gotten used to this. With my work schedule I tend to be alone a lot, but it's given me some good time to start new hobbies and spend time with God.

So far I have spent today playing Donkey Kong for a few hours, recovering from a stomach

bug that I got yesterday and watching my DVR-ed tv shows. Although I definitely wish I was partying with my boyfriend and friends, I am content to be here.

I just got a new camera (nothing too fancy but works well), so I took it out until my fingers froze to catch some snowy mom

ents.

The rest of the plan for the night will include watching Ugly Betty episodes (my favorite show of all time) and perhaps baking some apple oatmeal scones. I love baking when I'm alone...especially when it's cold outside and cozy inside.

Enjoy the photos.

-Grace

Snow Day

2011-01-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

I woke up to lots of snow this morning and was thinking about how amazing it is that snow is so unexpected. We never expect when we go to bed that when we wake up the world will change and be more beautiful. Here's a poem with my thoughts.

Snow Day

I don't know why

we are so surprised

when we wake up to find

the ground covered in pillow flecks of white

We just assume

that our world will resume

without a new bloom

or any change, anything greater than doom

When God makes each day

in His own special way

giving us time to play

outside of the boundaries we set with what we say

Made in _____

2011-01-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Walking china dolls,

stitched from unknown hands

with unknown wrinkly imperfections

wearing a burden

someone stitches for us

for a few dollars

or cents in a foreign currency

our tags tell

of a distant land

filled with the billows

of hard work

not ours

as we claim as our own

The world spins

as the weaver winds

and dear China sends

us the fruit of its labor

Aging

2010-12-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

Here she lies

a girl of twenty years

old with wishes and worries

that weigh upon her skeleton

hunched and crumpled down

like a regretful, bumbling humpback

knowing what she has done

and where in the world she has been

she finds this current place dull

her skinny, fine fingers beg to write

a passionate word to be published

and her dreams even smell like fresh laundry

sitting in heat, wanting to be folded

and put away

in the place

where they belong

Restless Life Syndrome

2010-09-22T21:52:00.000-07:00

This poem is inspired by my recent restlessness.

Restless Life Syndrome

I would like to be everywhere

doing absolutely everything

until the base of my shoes

wears down to the ground

and my weathered weariness

shows my breath in the wind

and I have seen

more open fields

than my dead dreams

Until I must make myself

fall asleep again

Wind

2010-08-26T13:46:00.001-07:00

Wind

Thank you God

for the wind

you put inside of us

and the wind

you push out of us

the wind

that follows us

and the wind

that guides us

the wind

that billows our hopes

and the wind

that sends them away

the wind

in our mouths

and the wind

brushing our hands

We feel you.

Blackberry Patch

2010-06-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a new poem I just whipped up after picking blackberries in Malvern, Arkansas yesterday.

Picking Blackberries

We are few
mother, father and child
with splotches of purple on our hands
working to pick out what is ripe
from a harvest stinging with the sun

Waves of heat
not from movement but stillness
follow the sweat
our heads send our toes

The finding of precious jewels
amidst the beaten earth
brings our bodies alive
and whispers in a wave
with cooling breath
"You are searchers.
Find me what is sweetest."

As our trail of tastes pushes us into
the mysteries of the blackberry patch.

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."
Galatians 6:9

Green and beauty

2010-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

The beauty of the spring green outside inspired me to write a poem in its honor.

Bless God for the brilliant green of

stormy skies

ragged weeds

dewy grass

flora, fauna and fronds

mossy swamps

new buds

the life

that grows in your shadow

Fresh start...and plastic bags

2010-04-01T18:21:00.001-07:00

I'm back in the world of blogging.

It has been terribly too long since I have written anything, so it may take me awhile to gain my few readers back. But I think I'm up for a challenge.

I am going to try to post more of my writing more often because I am currently watching Julie and Julia, and it seems like the right thing to do.

Here is a column that I wrote about plastic bags that was published in the last issue of my newspaper, The Threefold Advocate.

Hopefully you will read it and start using reusable bags! If you do, the Earth will love you...and I will too!

Bag lady's wisdom

Grace Pennington, Editor-in-Chief

Aren't plastic bags annoying?

They break easily, they're ugly, they never seem to go away, and being plastic, they really won't go away.

After you have used them to bring groceries or things back to your dorm or house, you have no other need for them. Then, for most people, they just end up being stuffed into a corner or a forgotten cabinet, waiting for Christ's return. Then, something that was intended to make your life easier and faster becomes a cluttered, ugly thing that won't leave you alone.

I used to feel this way about paper bags until I discovered an alternative for carrying groceries while living out of the country. It was very interesting to learn that in Europe, it is almost expected for a shopper to bring a reusable bag with them for their purchases.

The cash register tellers would ask first if you had your own bag. If you answered no, they would look at you a bit perplexed, then reluctantly help you pile your things into bright orange plastic sacks. Bringing a reusable bag was the norm at these grocery stores, and after my first plastic bag trip, I began to discover why.

First, plastic bags do not hold up well when you have to walk twenty minutes to get home. I once had to hold a ripped plastic bag together half of the way home, probably looking like another American idiot, after discovering this problem.

Next, instead of fitting all of your things into one reusable bag, the size and shape of plastic sacks force you to use several sacks for even just a few items. When you are walking home with a purse and heavy book bag, the last thing you should add onto it are loads of plastic sacks.

Finally, you look much more like a classy European when you are carrying one canvas bag filled with groceries, than when you load up a pile of artificially orange colored sacks on your shoulders.

I think us over using Americans need to learn a lesson on the benefits of using a reusable bag.

Here are the facts: A reusable bag is cheap (usually no more than $1), sturdy, takes up less room, is reusable (as the name implies) and gets rid of those horrid plastic sacks that trash all of our lives. Oh, and did I mention that it is a very green and Earth - conscious thing to do?

According to reusablebags.com, four out of five grocery bags in the U.S. are plastic, and our society's consumption rate is estimated at more than 500 billion, which is about 1 million per minute. The website states that the plastic bags we use today will be on our planet for up to 1,000 years. Also, the average family accumulates 60 plastic bags in four trips to the grocery store.

So much energy on our part and the Earth's part could be saved by us making $1 purchase of a reusable bag and actually using it. Although plastic sacks seem easier at the time of purchase, they will only turn into a decision that will haunt us and our precious Earth for years.

Other alternatives of green shopping can include asking for paper sacks, which can be recycled, recycling those unwanted and unused plastic sacks, or not using a sack at all. If you are only buying a bag of chips or a CD at a store, just ask the person to not put your purchase in a sack.

Here is what I suggest: Buy a reusable bag, keep it in your car for when you go shopping, don't be afraid to use it, and introduce other people to this smart way to shop. It will save you time, hassle and help keep the Earth clean.

According to reusablebags.com, by using a reusable bag, you have the potential to eliminate 1,000 plastic bags. I can promise you from my experience that using a reusable bag is fun, easy and simply makes you feel a lot smarter. So, I challenge you to shop smart and never leave your reusable bag behind.

Stay tuned for some of my recent poetry.

something

2009-06-23T19:09:00.000-07:00

Lest I lose this dream

the world's beauty would be lost forever

To forget a found passion

would bring me to futility and to tears

Thought of time continuing as normal

could ruin the art of finding the new and unique

Tutorials behind, Alps ahead

2009-03-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

So, here I sit, 7:16 p.m. in my bed in my cozy little dorm-like room, preparing for my spring break trip to Germany and Switzerland. By preparing, I mean catching up on ugly betty and the office from last night and enjoying a warm, peanut butter, kit-kat cookie that my room mate just baked.

Today, I had my last tutorial. Although last Thursday, I was pretty ecstatic to be done with my theology tutorial, the one today was a bit different. Well, we have been studying Romantic poetry for the past 8 weeks, and I have read hundreds of poems and written eight (stellar) essays on authors like Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley and Anna Barbauld. I have SO enjoyed time spent every week reading poetry, dissecting it, then talking with my amazing tutor about it. And we usually end up talking about random soap boxes, things like feminism (which is a good thing, in case you were wondering). Also, English essays are so fun to write. I get to put in my opinion, use lots of quotes from books and not be quite as serious as articles for the newspaper are.

But anyway, a chapter of my Oxford experience closed today, sadly. I had my last tutorial at 9 a.m. today and left glad to be done, but also sad that my tutorial days are over. Also, the Oxford students are leaving this weekend because their terms is done, so I will miss observing their intellectual ways and snazzy fashion sense.

After surviving 8 weeks of tutorial, I really feel like a changed student. Even tonight as I was watching Ugly Betty, she was asked at a dinner party to talk about the history of opera. As she was coming up with an educated answer about something she knew nothing about, I, weirdly, was too. Being with a professor who knows everything about the subject you're studying for an hour and asking sometimes crazy curve-ball questions can really help you think on your feet. At the end of these eight weeks, I feel more prepared to answer hard questions, to come up with questions and to not feel awkward sitting for a minute staring into your tutor's fireplace to come up with an intelligent answer. And sure, I failed answering questions a few times, but mostly, I tried my best and got the hang of it. I find myself not shying away from intellectual conversations and not relying so much on dictionary.com to give me a definition for a word or thought.

Now, with my tutorial experience conquered, I am off to conquer the wonders of southern Germany and Switzerland with two girlfriends. We will be traveling from Frankfurt to Heidleburg then to Munich for a few nights. Then, we are going to see the Neuschwanstein castle (aka Disney stole their castle architecture from this castle) then on to Thayngen, Switzerland. We are renting a car, so I'm super excited about a fun and scenic road trip! Wooh!

Stealing Away

2009-02-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, i spent a glorious few hours of my afternoon on a bench in the University Parks, which is a two minute walk from my house. (The picture to the left is my shadow as I take a picture of the river in front of my bench.)

After I took a power walk/run through the park to work off the pancakes I ate for breakfast, I went back to the park for sit for awhile. Although I didn't really need to exercise, because I walk miles every day just getting around, it was SOOOOO beautiful outside. And even though I am incredibly sore right now, I am still glad that I got out and sweat some.

I joined the many Oxfordians who ran to the park, with their kids and dogs, to bask in the cold, windy, but still cheerful English sun.

This afternoon was such a symbol of my time here in Oxford:

1. I have got to spend a lot of time thinking by myself. I have learned that it is not that scary, but rather empowering to explore and think on your own.

2. My flexible weekly schedule allows me to have such freedom with what I do every day. It is great that through this, I can find time to listen to what God is speaking to me, journal, read and talk with others.

3. Even though there are cloudy days (like today) a lot and sometimes I miss home, Jason and familiarity a lot, I am always excited to get up every morning and embrace the day. Each day is new and fresh, and God is teaching me to hope in the future instead of fear it.

And Everything Was Alright

2009-02-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

And Everything Was Alright

Sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. My internet was on the fritz for about 3 weeks, but somehow, mainly by a miracle of God, it is working fine now, yeah!

Everything at Oxford is going splendidly! I feel like I finally feel adjusted and in my routine here. I am really being challenged/enjoying my tutorials, and I have had the chance to go to London twice. It was a blast to go to museums, shop and enjoy the city life there.

Also, I feel like I'm kind of getting the hang of this grocery shopping and cooking thing. Ok, so pb&js are always a great fall back, but I'm really enjoying all of the fresh produce and wednesday open market days.

God has been really inspiring me in so many ways, too. Especially through the cell group that I am in at St. Aldates. It is WONDERFUL to have intelligent and deep conversations about God there and think critically about life and justice. This is also the only place where I have been successful in meeting British people. It is sooo hard to meet Brits here, especially when they are only here for another 4 weeks. Lame.

I have been reading Romantic poetry for the last 3 weeks of my Lewis Tutorial, and that has been simply amazing. I have always written poetry for a hobby, but I never thought I would be studying it.

Overall, God has amazing plans to reveal himself to me through every rainy or icy day, through every conversation with a new friend and through quite moments reading in an amazingly beautiful library or a local, cozy coffee shop.

As C.S. Lewis said, "The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisley one's real life- the life God is sending one day by day."

I only have 2 months left here, so I'm trying to live it up and relish every interruption in my day. This has also lately included learning how to be patient and how to get to know people who are different than me. This is tricky, but God is helping me through it.

Cheers!

George MacDonald anyone?

2009-01-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Since I have been on a George MacDonald kick for this past week, thanks to my C.S. Lewis tutorial, I thought I would share some of my favorite words and poems from Phantastes.

Through the realms of the monarch Sun
Creeps a world, whose course had begun,
On a weary path with a weary pace,
Before the Earth sprang forth on her race:
But many a time the Earth had sped
Around the path she still must tread,
Ere the elder planet, on a leaden wing,
Once circled the court of the planet's king.

There, in that lonely and distant star,
The seasons are not as our season are;
But many a year hath Autumn to dress
The trees in their matron loveliness;
As long hath old Winter in triumph to go
O'er the beauties dead in his vault below;
And many a year the Spring cloth wear
Combing the icicles from her hair;
And Summer, dear Summer, hath years of June,
With large white clouds, and cool showers at noon:
And a beauty that grows to a weight like grief,
Till a burst of tears is the heart's relief.

Children, born when Winter is king,
May never rejoice in the hoping Spring;
Though their own heart-buds are bursting with joy,
And the child hath grown to the girl or boy;
But may die with cold and icy hours
Watching them ever in place of flowers.
And some who awake from their primal sleep,
When the sighs of Summer through forests creep,
Live, and love, and are loved again;
Seek for pleasure, and find its pain;
Sink to their last, their forsaken sleeping,
With the same sweet odours around them creeping.

-And if you made it through all of that and want more, here is my fav. quote of today:

"The result of selfish or hoarded love is ultimately spiritual as well as physical death."
(I think this was in a reference book, so I'm not sure who said it.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these beautifully crafted words as much as I have.

-Grace

Rockin' Oxford

2009-01-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

With a 21st birthday over, orientation over and a week of life in Oxford under my belt, I am finally feeling good. I am beginning to feel that I belong here. I know that God has sent me here, and I am excited to delve into just exactly why.

Here are a few things that I have learned recently:
-I like change, but I am one of those people that takes time to adjust.
-I love communication. When Skype does not work, I begin to have a temper. But seriously, I am a loyal person, so I like keeping up with everything in friend's and family's lives.
-I like being independent. It makes me feel cool, on my own and grown up (like when I walk back to my house at night in my warm clothes, rocking by myself to my ipod).
-I really enjoy experiencing new things. For instance, being a part of worship with a room full of students that I did not know, but who were really seeking after God was amazing. Seeing God in a new, fresh light and new venue is so refreshing.

This week I begin my reading-intense (eek!) lecture and tutorial regime. I am ready to let go of my worries and failings and dive in to the work.
In the words of some rock band (that was quoted on School of Rock):
"We roll tonight to the guitar bite, and for those about to rock, I salute you."

New

2009-01-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

Wow!
I am in Oxford, finally, and starting to adjust to all of the new things that I have encountered in the past few days.
This morning when I woke up and remembered I was in England, I was a little sad and wondering how I was going to not miss home for 4 months. I was also a bit sad because it was Jason and my 4 month anniversary and for the fact that he could not be here.
Then, I kind of just said a little prayer that God would help me to get used to things and enjoy the people here.
Again, I am discovering that prayer and good intentions work.
I got to meet a bunch of great girls from the other house that I really connected and had fun with. We got to explore the city center and even go to our first pub: the Eagle and Child (you might know it as the meeting place of the Inklings, which included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien!) It was awesome and a fun taste of Oxford.
After today's adventures, I am feeling much more excited about the semester and ready to dive into exploring, making friends, studying and pubbing! =)

Jumping In

2009-01-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

new beginnings
things dying things living
needing both to survive
to thrive more than normal
requiring extra
comes with this soon change
more self
to walk confidently in
more faith
that my legs will be fast enough
more room
to fill with whom I will become

In about 12 hours I will be heading out with England as my destination. After many tears, anxiety and butterflies I FINALLY feel ready. Thank God for all of his blessings, especially all of the prayers that have been prayed over me recently.
I'm jumping, hoping I will fly. I will let you know how it goes!

-Grace

On My Own

2008-12-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

On my own.

This is not a phrase that I use a lot or that I like to use a lot, truthfully.
If I think about it, I am constantly surrounded by people. Whether it is my parents, sisters, boyfriend or friends, I like to keep people close to me. I like to have them handy to ask for help or advice or just to watch movies or eat with.

Pretty soon here, in about 8 days, I will be on my own quite a bit, perhaps even more than I might be comfortable with at first. I will be flying internationally by myself, getting myself to Oxford and buying my own groceries. For a little while, I won't know anyone. I won't have a cell phone handy, and I will have to ask strangers for help.

Ok, so truthfully this is not that big of a deal. People do it all the time. And as I explore this world of "on my own," I am sure that it will help me grow a lot. It will be an adventure.

I just keep reminding myself that I have to remember that God will be with me every step of the way. I must remember that he will place people in my way. I look forward to meeting these people and exploring what life on my own is like.

It's independence or bust! Woohoo

First Post

2008-12-26T17:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Grace Notes!

As my first blog, I am excited to be able to share my thoughts here for those who would like to read them. This is especially timely as I will be leaving for a semester studying abroad at Oxford in England in two weeks!

Wooh! I can barely believe that soon I will have 4 months full of adventures all on my own. I am a little anxious about traveling and getting settled, but I know that God will help me have peace through everything.

Thanks to my parents, I have two new travel books for London and other cities in England, so I feel a little bit more confident about my endeavor.

Also, I just bought a great waterproof coat for the daily rains there, and I will soon be getting Skype so I can keep in touch with the fam, friends and bf!

Overall, I am enjoying my holiday time with the family and trying to think about all my preparations for the big trip.

I hope everyone is having a blessed holiday and thankful for the family and friends around them. I sure am thankful for mine!