corner

Today's exercise: Write about someone who is pretending to be someone or something that he is not.

This one's a little bit tougher than yesterday - requires some thinking but here we go...

She saw him standing in the corner, exuding a sense of mystery. People were all moving all around him but no one close enough to engage him in conversation. It was almost as if he were invincible. She wanted to go over and say something but she was never good with trying to be flirty. It usually came out as awkward and forced and almost always ended with the guy offering a polite smile before excusing himself. She glanced around the room, wondering when the guest of honor would finally arrive. She came with her friend, her friend pulling the "I don't want to go to this thing alone because who knows who will be there" card. Again scanning the room, the guy in the corner was gone when her gaze made it back to where he had been standing. Her attention was drawn to the front of the room to the emcee for the party, gesturing to his left. "And now, let's welcome our guest for the evening, Anderson Wilson!" Her jaw dropped slightly as she recognized the man now taking the microphone: the guy who had been standing in the corner.

now

I bought a book a few months ago called "The Pocket Muse: Ideas & Inspirations for Writing" by Monica Wood. It's sat in my pile of "to read" books ever since. But I decided to actually start reading it today. It's a collection of writing exercises and prompts to help with...writing. So I'm hoping this will spark new ideas for me and help get me back into the flow of writing.

Today's exercise: What are you waiting for? If not now, when?

This seems so fitting for the first exercise because I think we can all have reasons why we put off writing or whatever other dream we may have. What I've learned is that you have to just make time. Take advantage of the down time you have and scribble out a few lines. Don't fall into the trap of "when ________ happens, then I'll start writing." Now really is the time. Now's the perfect time to start. Whatever it is. Now...is...the...time.

book review: "billy graham" by david aikman

“Oh God, I don’t understand all of this. I don’t know what’s happening to me. But as best as I can figure out, I’ve given myself to you.” These are the words Billy Graham prayed the night he gave his life to God. He accepted Christ at a crusade by Mordecai Ham on November 6, 1934. He has spent the past six decades preaching the message of the gospel. He once said, “Sincerity is the biggest part of selling anything, including the Christian plan of salvation.” He’s seen countless people give their lives to God at his numerous crusades, the last one being in 2005. Graham has had the opportunity to speak into the lives of our presidents, beginning with Eisenhower up through George W. Bush. He’s visited countless countries and won over many people with his charm. Aikman mentions Graham’s method for handling tough situations: “…Billy Graham’s lifelong traits: to agonize over important decisions, to storm heaven seeking directions, and then to be quite firm in any decision arrived at in the course of this process of prayer.” All throughout the book, Aikman points out Graham’s humility and desire to simply preach of God’s love. Early in his evangelical career, Graham worked with Charles Templeton. “A few, however, were touched by the sheer innocent, gospel-sharing confidence of the young men [Graham and Templeton]. It was “like a breath from heaven in a suffocated time,” said British lay evangelist Tom Rees, “men who brought brightness in the midst of all our darkness.”

The Right Reverend Peter Jensen asked of Graham once, “Has there been a voice like his? There was the utter sincerity of it. He was transparently sincere, personally attentive. He was a prince among God’s people.” This would definitely be a book for history buffs. All of the dates and names were lost on me but it was interesting to read about Graham’s start to his career and all he’s accomplished in his lifetime, “…a seven-decades long servant of the call to preach the gospel…”

which way?

Have you ever questioned what to do with your life? Or, even better, did you think you knew what you were supposed to do but then started questioning that? My hand slipped up for that one. I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher – that’s what I majored in and have spent my whole academic career pursuing. Yet I’ve spent the last two years since I’ve been out of school trying to find my way back in through a teaching job. There’s just something about being in a classroom that feels right to me – call me a dork if you want :-)

My pastor this morning prayed for all of us who were needing direction with our lives – those still in high school, those having just graduated and beginning that search for “why am I here?” to those of us having gone through college and still unsure of what we’re to be doing. I believe I’m going to find that direction. I’m believing for God to show me what it is I’m really supposed to be doing. I’ve come to the point that I’m ok with not teaching – I just want to be where God wants me. I know my education won’t be wasted – it’ll come into play somehow. I just need to be quiet enough to hear Him when He decides to speak and then be able to say, “Ok God, that’s what I’ll do.”

verdict

I posted a recipe the other day and wanted to share the results. While just about every bit of the dessert was eaten, I would make a few more changes before making it again. It was very rich - not what I expected. Instead of having a layer of peanut butter as well as mixing it with the ice cream, I would have the layer of peanut butter and a the vanilla ice cream solo. Topping it with whip before adding the syrup and chocolate chips might be a possibility as well. Just something to think about...

recipe: peanut butter ice cream pie

I embarked on a recipe that I'm hoping will be as amazing as I've built it up to be. How can you not expect a taste of heaven when the end result is supposed to look like this:

So I tried it out this morning, modifying it as I saw fit (which meant only adding more chocolate). The recipe is from http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?ID=29616 and is relatively simple (the best kind).

Ingredients

• 1 pkg Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookie dough (though I bought the tub of dough since I'm making it for a bunch of middle schoolers and an pie serving 8 just wouldn't cut it).
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (again, I bought a large jar and ended up using the whole thing).
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream (I used a gallon and though there's still some left over so we'll end up making sundae's - the proverbial two birds with one stone in action).
• chocolate syrup
• peanuts (I left these out because I'm not a big peanut fan)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch pie pan (or a baking dish as I did). Press cookie dough onto bottom and sides of pan. Mine looked like this:

Bake for 18-22 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes before flattening your "crust" with a spoon. Allow to cool completely before adding a layer of peanut butter (about half the jar).

Mix ice cream and the rest of the peanut butter together before spreading on top of the layer of peanut butter.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup and I also added some mini chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Let freeze for at least 2 hours or overnight (I'll add more of the last 3 ingredients before serving).

And there you go! Easy, right? I've yet to taste it and see how absolutely amazing it but I'm thinking it's gonna be good :-)

he said, she said

So yesterday I had an interesting conversation with some friends. I posted something on Twitter which sparked different reactions from three people. Let me set up the scene. I was on my way to work and stopped to get gas. The lines were at least two cars deep for each pump so I finally picked one and decided to wait it out. The guy in front of me, aware he now had an audience, tried to give off the "I'm smooth" vibe. Here's what happened, along with my commentary:

Me: It's funny how people act when they know you're watching. Guy in front of me getting gas is trying to play the "cool & casual" card. [and by this I mean he had the pump set to automatic so he could lean against his car, ankles crossed and appear as if he had all the time in the world]

Friend 1: Is he cute?

Me: Cute? Not so much. I liked his car though :-) [black BMW - very sporty]

Friend 2: Did you talk to him?

Me: Did i talk to him? That'd be a no. Maybe if he played the "cool & casual" card a little better :-) [I was raised to not talk to strangers and how awkward would that be for me to get out of my car while he's pumping gas to say hi??]

Friend 3: If he had to play the card then he is neither.

Friend 2: Poor guy...saw a hot girl and freaked out. You should have said hi. You would have made his day!

Wow...so that's how my afternoon went yesterday :-)

steering wheel

content: desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.

I'm making the decision to be content with my life. Not content as in "Yep, I'm good right here" and never want to strive for anything more but content as in "God, there are things I want in my life but I trust You with how and when they'll happen." Philippians 4:11-13 says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (NIV)."

I think contentment (true contentment) is a by-product of faith in God. When you're content, you have this sense inside you that it's going to be ok; everything will work out so just enjoy the ride. I want to be content. I want to hand the steering wheel over to God while I either watch the scenery or take a nap. Why? Because I trust where He's taking me.

contagious

Although I listen to Christian music, I'm not a fan of every single song incorporating scripture and talking about God. I think sometimes it's ok for music to have a God-centered message in a subtle way. For example, I've been listening to the song "Fever" by Family Force 5. I don't think God is mentioned one time but I can't hear it without thinking about Him. To me, the song is about being contagious in our Christianity, like a fever spreading. I just sometimes think we overdo the whole "Christian music" thing by staying on the end of the spectrum where the songs have to be so flowery and "God I love you." I'm not trying to be too much of a critic and say that all Christian songs are fluff and whatever else - it's just that sometimes we don't have to mention God in order to be talking about Him.