currently reading:
what's so great about christianity?
choosing gratitude
colossians
philippians
my addictions textbook
next up (before spring break?):
celebration of discipline
healthy at 100
search for significance
isaiah
the psalms
i need more suggestions! does anyone read any good fiction? i have yet to find a fiction author who is not a waste of time. i'm not trying to be dramatic...i enjoy a few authors (nicolas sparks, jodi picoult...laugh all you want), but i feel like it's a waste of time, especially when i prefer nonfiction, and learn something in the meantime. two birds...one stone, you know what i mean?
in other news, this blogspace needs a makeover.
so does my bedroom (paint on the walls? refinish my monstrous blue desk? (my favorite piece of furniture))
and the upsairs hallway (homemade artwork? send your ideas please! it's big white space with a pretty bad paint job.)
as does my hairstyle (or lack thereof...dare i dye it? or, even better question: dare i trust the fine employees of great clips to go at it once again, considering past results?)
i think i need to take a creativity sabbatical (i know, you wonder...a sabbatical from what? it's 9:02 am on a wednesday morning and libby's drinking coffee and blogging. valid point. trust me, i'm about to get up and get ready for work. 10.more.minutes)
a note about my 2010 resolutions...
some are going well! i'm particularly pleased with my increased cooking attempts. i see how people could really get into this. on my lunchbreak yesterday, i found myself on the better homes and gardens recipes website. i have arrived. hello, adulthood. i continue to find myself living wiht girls who are amazing cooks. but i must admit, my most recent inspiration came from julie & julia.
hey, if you think of it this week, i have some big decisions i need to make for my summer, and i need wisdom. big time. it's all about good stuff, but it's big nonetheless. and if you're praying for me anyway, would you also pray that i'd find a job in indianapolis, and not have to move. i have grown to love it here, and it's scary and sad to think about having to move away. i'm trying to walk the very fine line between worrying about the future and being proactive. easier said than done...
and right now TODAY is calling my name.
love to all!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
why thank you, mr. bagel man
first things first: i have rediscovered one of my old favorite songs. i want you to be my love by over the rhine. BUY IT. you will not regret it. and valentine's day is nearly here, so you know.. there's that.
oh my friends, life is good. i began my internship on tuesday. i was incredibly anxious about it, but darn it, did my best to pretend that it was no big deal. but oh let me tell you. i looked to january with a considerable amount of dread. and emotional eating (note to self: do not buy reese peanut butter cups in times such as these). but i guess the good news is that i also spent lots of time on the elliptical. nothing like guilt to drive you to work out. which then lifts your spirits via endorphins. so it's a not-so-vicious cycle afterall. ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. but i digress...
SO. i love love love how God shows mercy through people. through strangers. it all began on a snowy indiana morning. i woke up on tuesday morning, fully prepared to "preach truth to my soul." i had worried for DAYS about this morning. so i got up early to kind of think and reflect and mostly gear up. and also give myself a talking to about all this crazy worry....things such as:
-you have no need to be worried about starting this internship.
-God is in control
-what's the worst that could come of this experience?
-you are going to learn SO MUCH
yaddayadda.
anyway, i woke up with a wonderful sense of peace about everything. (inexplicable? i think not)
and i...
made my coffee
allowed myself 2 tsp of gingerbread creamer (only for special occasions!)
made a ham sandwich (new fave lunch)
drove to mt vernon high school (my new site)
got there EARLY
was welcomed warmly by all 4 counselors on staff.
spent the day in meetings. learned TONS.
drove to panera between internship and iwu class
got free bagels
went to class
went to the gym
got my butt royally kicked by boot camp william during step class.
to which you say.... "BACK THE TRUCK UP....FREE BAGELS? do tell!"
to which i reply, "GLADLY."
so in celebration of day #1 at mt vernon. and out of pretty extreme hunger (oh libby, so dramatic), I stopped at panera for a cup of coffee and a gingerbread bagel, sliced, toasted, and no cream cheese. to go, please. and the guy working said
"ooh today's the last day for gingerbread bagels."
to which i said
"bummer."
to which he laughed
" i think you're the only one who eats them."
and i had no reply, because that's downright shocking.
{they are the most worth-it 350 calories you could possibly imagine, especially paired with HOT hazelnut coffee.}
so i smiled at him and said, "that is too bad. they are so good." so anyway, while he was slicing my bagel, i got my own coffee and when i turned around, mr bagel man had given me a to-go bag FULL of gingerbread bagels. now. i'm about to tell you something, and i need you to not laugh.
my eyes welled up. i almost cried.
right there at the traders point panera bread. (libby "emotional rock" templeton? i think not. not anymore, anyway) it was so totally not about the bagels. it was totally about the little act of grace that he showed. i know it doesn't sound like much. but it really was to me in that moment.
which made me think about all the opportunities i have on a daily basis to be kind. and the opportunities that i totally blow. and the redeeming chances i have tomorrow. it almost makes me want to go to bed right now, just so i'll be that much closer to tomorrow where i can start again. i've talked about my lifelong yearning for the "next big thing" before. and that is one elusive quest, certain to end in disappointment and failed expectations. there is far too much joy to be found in living well today. in giving to others. in showing reckless kindness.
mmmhmmm....
oh my friends, life is good. i began my internship on tuesday. i was incredibly anxious about it, but darn it, did my best to pretend that it was no big deal. but oh let me tell you. i looked to january with a considerable amount of dread. and emotional eating (note to self: do not buy reese peanut butter cups in times such as these). but i guess the good news is that i also spent lots of time on the elliptical. nothing like guilt to drive you to work out. which then lifts your spirits via endorphins. so it's a not-so-vicious cycle afterall. ba-da-bing ba-da-boom. but i digress...
SO. i love love love how God shows mercy through people. through strangers. it all began on a snowy indiana morning. i woke up on tuesday morning, fully prepared to "preach truth to my soul." i had worried for DAYS about this morning. so i got up early to kind of think and reflect and mostly gear up. and also give myself a talking to about all this crazy worry....things such as:
-you have no need to be worried about starting this internship.
-God is in control
-what's the worst that could come of this experience?
-you are going to learn SO MUCH
yaddayadda.
anyway, i woke up with a wonderful sense of peace about everything. (inexplicable? i think not)
and i...
made my coffee
allowed myself 2 tsp of gingerbread creamer (only for special occasions!)
made a ham sandwich (new fave lunch)
drove to mt vernon high school (my new site)
got there EARLY
was welcomed warmly by all 4 counselors on staff.
spent the day in meetings. learned TONS.
drove to panera between internship and iwu class
got free bagels
went to class
went to the gym
got my butt royally kicked by boot camp william during step class.
to which you say.... "BACK THE TRUCK UP....FREE BAGELS? do tell!"
to which i reply, "GLADLY."
so in celebration of day #1 at mt vernon. and out of pretty extreme hunger (oh libby, so dramatic), I stopped at panera for a cup of coffee and a gingerbread bagel, sliced, toasted, and no cream cheese. to go, please. and the guy working said
"ooh today's the last day for gingerbread bagels."
to which i said
"bummer."
to which he laughed
" i think you're the only one who eats them."
and i had no reply, because that's downright shocking.
{they are the most worth-it 350 calories you could possibly imagine, especially paired with HOT hazelnut coffee.}
so i smiled at him and said, "that is too bad. they are so good." so anyway, while he was slicing my bagel, i got my own coffee and when i turned around, mr bagel man had given me a to-go bag FULL of gingerbread bagels. now. i'm about to tell you something, and i need you to not laugh.
my eyes welled up. i almost cried.
right there at the traders point panera bread. (libby "emotional rock" templeton? i think not. not anymore, anyway) it was so totally not about the bagels. it was totally about the little act of grace that he showed. i know it doesn't sound like much. but it really was to me in that moment.
which made me think about all the opportunities i have on a daily basis to be kind. and the opportunities that i totally blow. and the redeeming chances i have tomorrow. it almost makes me want to go to bed right now, just so i'll be that much closer to tomorrow where i can start again. i've talked about my lifelong yearning for the "next big thing" before. and that is one elusive quest, certain to end in disappointment and failed expectations. there is far too much joy to be found in living well today. in giving to others. in showing reckless kindness.
mmmhmmm....
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
refreshed. refilled. revitalized. resolute. and ready.
dear friends.
here i sit in panera, drinking coffee and mostly killing time before i run some errands and then head back down to indianapolis. it has been a very long, but VERY good three-week christmas break. and i still have some time before real life begins next week.
it's been a WHILE since i've updated, and i am going to make a concerted effort to do better at this ("libby, i've heard it before," you say. and you would have a point. fair enough)
i'd like to give you the highlights of christmas break '09.
1. Meeting Mia for real. I was at the hospital when she was born, but she took so darn long to come out that we pretty much left as soon as she arrived. she is one month and one day old. and honestly, the best baby. i think i heard her cry twice in all the time (about a week) they were staying at my parents' house. and also, the girl likes fleece. she wears it often, and she wears it well. she cries when she's NOT wearing it. who wouldn't, when your other option is a uniform? smart kid, i tell you. that's my niece. already revolting against "the man," who in this case, happens to be her dad.
2. Calvin reunion in Kalamazoo. it was so refreshing, so fun to see so many friends from college. we ate, retold old stories, updated one another on life, met Jonas!!!, played rock band, and researched colon cleansers. you know, the usual. that day was one of those that left me feeling filled-up and oh so blessed. to be surrounded by people who have known me--and loved me--through the ups and downs of that period of life---i am a lucky lucky girl with wonderful friends. becca, thanks for opening up your in-law's house for us :) (please please express our collective thanks!)
3. Coffee with my mom almost ever morning. Dinner with both parents most nights.
4. FINALLY sneaking brown icing into the cookie decorating supplies. Jeff and I have begged for this for years. We are in our late and mid-twenties (respectively) AND YET, we retain the sense of humor of 7th grade boys.
4a. Other inapporpriate christmas cookies (including, but not limited to, a "victoria's secret" angel. thank you, roff.)
5. The many exploits of joe, kathy, and libby in and around st joe...sledding at grand mere (libby, keep your feet up!), and the fateful night at walgreens stand out as highlights (i will never live that down.) joe also does an amazing impression of our old calculus teacher, mr porter. which never ceases to throw me into a fit of giggles. no. scratch that. uncontrollable silent laughter. gets me every time (i'm not selective....we've already established that)
one of my favorite quotes from our escapades:
"you know what i just realized? oh wait, i didn't just realize that."
6. meeting up with holly (my friend since early childhood) and her mom for dinner and exchanging gifts afterwards at their house. ah friendship that has withstood the test of time. and the girl makes super cute journals. she rips the paper and sews it together by herself. i want to be her customer and buy one for each and every one of YOU.
7. eating christmas cookies. (apparently, the sick-of-christmas-cookies-condition in which i found myself weeks ago turned out to be temporary. who knew? i'm nothing if not resilient.)
8. i got a pink snuggie! pictures on facebook!
9. MAKING MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (see below). my favorite post-christmas activity.
i was aiming for 10 best-things but i wouldn't want to diminish the gravity of the former nine by simply throwing in another highlight for the heck of it. now. please know that these are not listed in order of importance. although, meeting mia is probably #1. but you would be mistaken if you thought that my snuggie is more important than my resolutions or that brown frosting was more important than spending time with friends. stream of consciousness, my friends.
now. am i ready to finish strong? (only four more months till i graduate!!!!) this remains to be seen. i am so very ready to be done with school, though i am still looking forward to my internship this semester, i will miss seeing my friends in class though (i only have to be at school for my internship supervision--"real" classes as i know them are through). i know i've said it before, but it continues to amaze me how quickly time has flown since moving to indianapolis. the further removed from teaching i become, the more i miss it. i'm about to drop by the school where i once taught, to get my old boss to sign something for my indiana teaching license, and that will surely evoke bittersweet memories from my time there. always does. but i am truly blessed, and i commit this day to basking in the blessings, reflecting on God's faithfulness, his kindness, and his generosity over my whole life, but mostly in the past 2 years.
ahhh life is so so fine indeed.
now, perhaps against my better judgement, i present to you, my 2010 new years resolutions:
They're divided up by three theme verses from the Bible.
Oh! Teach us to live well. Teach us to live wisely and well!
Psalm 90:12 (Message)
What would it look like to live wisely and well in my day-to-day in 2010?
--Ask this of myself before I spent money or time.
--Spiritual disciplines: Read Celebration of Discipline. Practice them.
--Read biographies, nonfiction & learn from them.
--Keep list of books I've read and what I've learned.
--If it's not beautiful or useful, don't buy it.
--Cash for clothes and groceries.
--Healthy eating.
--No pop at home.
--USDA recommendations for fruits and vegetables. yeah, food pyramid!
--Use mornings well:
First 30 minutes of my day to God
--Work out 30-60 minutes each day. No matter what. (and i'm keeping track of it on a calendar, complete with stars for good days! :). Run more races!
--Encourage others (reinstate 1 note/week habit)
--Finish what I start (except poorly written books)
--Cook at home more often. 2-3 times/week.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal
--What will it look like to trust in the Lord this year?
--Invest in others without expectations to how they will “fill me up” because God is enough.
--Seize opportunities. Make the most of those things that come in my path and trust in God for results. Live Boldly.
--Use my summer well. Take advantage of the time I'm given, be responsible but
unafraid.
--Ask for big things, do hard things, and look for the meaningful in the mundane.
--Check out ministries at church, find niche and invest there!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
How can I cultivate a spirit of contentment in my life?
--Choose gratitude, happiness, and contentment. Reflect on blessings of the day in solitude.
so there's that! consider yourself updated. happy new year!
here i sit in panera, drinking coffee and mostly killing time before i run some errands and then head back down to indianapolis. it has been a very long, but VERY good three-week christmas break. and i still have some time before real life begins next week.
it's been a WHILE since i've updated, and i am going to make a concerted effort to do better at this ("libby, i've heard it before," you say. and you would have a point. fair enough)
i'd like to give you the highlights of christmas break '09.
1. Meeting Mia for real. I was at the hospital when she was born, but she took so darn long to come out that we pretty much left as soon as she arrived. she is one month and one day old. and honestly, the best baby. i think i heard her cry twice in all the time (about a week) they were staying at my parents' house. and also, the girl likes fleece. she wears it often, and she wears it well. she cries when she's NOT wearing it. who wouldn't, when your other option is a uniform? smart kid, i tell you. that's my niece. already revolting against "the man," who in this case, happens to be her dad.
2. Calvin reunion in Kalamazoo. it was so refreshing, so fun to see so many friends from college. we ate, retold old stories, updated one another on life, met Jonas!!!, played rock band, and researched colon cleansers. you know, the usual. that day was one of those that left me feeling filled-up and oh so blessed. to be surrounded by people who have known me--and loved me--through the ups and downs of that period of life---i am a lucky lucky girl with wonderful friends. becca, thanks for opening up your in-law's house for us :) (please please express our collective thanks!)
3. Coffee with my mom almost ever morning. Dinner with both parents most nights.
4. FINALLY sneaking brown icing into the cookie decorating supplies. Jeff and I have begged for this for years. We are in our late and mid-twenties (respectively) AND YET, we retain the sense of humor of 7th grade boys.
4a. Other inapporpriate christmas cookies (including, but not limited to, a "victoria's secret" angel. thank you, roff.)
5. The many exploits of joe, kathy, and libby in and around st joe...sledding at grand mere (libby, keep your feet up!), and the fateful night at walgreens stand out as highlights (i will never live that down.) joe also does an amazing impression of our old calculus teacher, mr porter. which never ceases to throw me into a fit of giggles. no. scratch that. uncontrollable silent laughter. gets me every time (i'm not selective....we've already established that)
one of my favorite quotes from our escapades:
"you know what i just realized? oh wait, i didn't just realize that."
6. meeting up with holly (my friend since early childhood) and her mom for dinner and exchanging gifts afterwards at their house. ah friendship that has withstood the test of time. and the girl makes super cute journals. she rips the paper and sews it together by herself. i want to be her customer and buy one for each and every one of YOU.
7. eating christmas cookies. (apparently, the sick-of-christmas-cookies-condition in which i found myself weeks ago turned out to be temporary. who knew? i'm nothing if not resilient.)
8. i got a pink snuggie! pictures on facebook!
9. MAKING MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS (see below). my favorite post-christmas activity.
i was aiming for 10 best-things but i wouldn't want to diminish the gravity of the former nine by simply throwing in another highlight for the heck of it. now. please know that these are not listed in order of importance. although, meeting mia is probably #1. but you would be mistaken if you thought that my snuggie is more important than my resolutions or that brown frosting was more important than spending time with friends. stream of consciousness, my friends.
now. am i ready to finish strong? (only four more months till i graduate!!!!) this remains to be seen. i am so very ready to be done with school, though i am still looking forward to my internship this semester, i will miss seeing my friends in class though (i only have to be at school for my internship supervision--"real" classes as i know them are through). i know i've said it before, but it continues to amaze me how quickly time has flown since moving to indianapolis. the further removed from teaching i become, the more i miss it. i'm about to drop by the school where i once taught, to get my old boss to sign something for my indiana teaching license, and that will surely evoke bittersweet memories from my time there. always does. but i am truly blessed, and i commit this day to basking in the blessings, reflecting on God's faithfulness, his kindness, and his generosity over my whole life, but mostly in the past 2 years.
ahhh life is so so fine indeed.
now, perhaps against my better judgement, i present to you, my 2010 new years resolutions:
They're divided up by three theme verses from the Bible.
Oh! Teach us to live well. Teach us to live wisely and well!
Psalm 90:12 (Message)
What would it look like to live wisely and well in my day-to-day in 2010?
--Ask this of myself before I spent money or time.
--Spiritual disciplines: Read Celebration of Discipline. Practice them.
--Read biographies, nonfiction & learn from them.
--Keep list of books I've read and what I've learned.
--If it's not beautiful or useful, don't buy it.
--Cash for clothes and groceries.
--Healthy eating.
--No pop at home.
--USDA recommendations for fruits and vegetables. yeah, food pyramid!
--Use mornings well:
First 30 minutes of my day to God
--Work out 30-60 minutes each day. No matter what. (and i'm keeping track of it on a calendar, complete with stars for good days! :). Run more races!
--Encourage others (reinstate 1 note/week habit)
--Finish what I start (except poorly written books)
--Cook at home more often. 2-3 times/week.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the rock eternal
--What will it look like to trust in the Lord this year?
--Invest in others without expectations to how they will “fill me up” because God is enough.
--Seize opportunities. Make the most of those things that come in my path and trust in God for results. Live Boldly.
--Use my summer well. Take advantage of the time I'm given, be responsible but
unafraid.
--Ask for big things, do hard things, and look for the meaningful in the mundane.
--Check out ministries at church, find niche and invest there!
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
How can I cultivate a spirit of contentment in my life?
--Choose gratitude, happiness, and contentment. Reflect on blessings of the day in solitude.
so there's that! consider yourself updated. happy new year!
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