Car Troubles and Thankfulness

I noticed the other day that my other friends have done a much better job of posting lately. I resolved to no longer be a slacker. Fortunately I have some calamities to share. 

So, my car broke down last week. There was smoke everywhere. Plus, I don't have a cell phone (because I want to stick it to the man), so getting home took forever. A few days later, I got into a fender bender that was my fault. Then I found out that my car was dead. Then I had to buy a new one. Then I didn't remember about car insurance, and it cleaned out my bank account. Then I was overdrawn. Then yesterday, I found out that the fender bender was going to be way more than I was hoping.

It has been pretty stressful. It has been pretty sucky.
I can't say that I haven't been upset and stressed.

But I've been hanging out with people who have less.

But I'm thankful that I had money for a new car.

I'm thankful that I found one so quickly.

I'm thankful that I have a job.

I'm thankful that I could borrow money from my family.

I'm thankful that I am going to get out of debt.

I'm thankful that I have car insurance.

I'm thankful that I have enough to give away.

I'm thankful that I don't have to apply for jobs right now.

I'm thankful that I have hope.

More Pen and Paper

Ever write about the people in your life in a journal? I tend to rant about "unfair" things, frustrating situations, and a desire to be in the right! One could definitely tell which days contain rants and other days general mellow updates about life.

For a few days this topic has been on my mind. I read quite a few stories in my journal the other day about people I grew up with, acquaintances and even my family members. Some of the stories are legitimate. Some are over the top and ridiculous. (A teenager is allowed a certain degree of ridiculousness!)

And you know what, perspective and time vindicates the words on the pages. Every time I reread, I learn something new about that story and myself. I realize now, the people/characters I painted in my journal are just like me in many ways:

- they have lives
- they are searching as well
- nothing is one sided
- Life isn't about me.

Time heals all wounds. Laughter heals misunderstanding. Wisdom comes like a light bulb and grace wins the day (even when I was justified to upset, concerned, frustrated, misunderstood and overwhelmed). I am on a journey of grace.

What have you written about in the past?
have you reread the stories?
Has your perspective changed?

Happy Journaling!

Adieu,

Anne

The paper and pen journey

Ever find an old journal? I keep mine and occasionally stumble upon the insight into who I once was and who I still am.

It blew me away
- some of the issues I thought were life shattering ( not getting invited to a party, the nerve of some people!).
- How I struggle with the same things, but to different degrees.
- the ridiculousness and awkwardness of being a teenager and a christian teenager.
- somethings that I forgot. dreams, insights, randomness from my earlier years.

I love journaling and have quite a few. I am always writing down practical things as well as not so practical things. It helps me to collect the plethora of thoughts that fly though my brain daily. I am not great at keeping up with a journal, sometimes the ramblings are frequent, other times, I forget for months.

My journal is my silent prayer. Sometimes it is my way to vent, scream and to sit still. I'm not sure what possessed me to keep one from the late nineties to the present.  (YIKES) I love looking with fresh eyes and fresh perspective on the things I have written down. I love going back, and writing in the margins; this really happened on this date or Wow, I understand a little why this happened. Sometimes, I also imagine someone stumbling upon my story years from now and remarking on the oddities of my scrawlings. Like a granddaughter finding books in the attic.

"She was crazy."
" What would possess someone to be so silly?"
" So, that is what really happened!"

My journal makes me feel like a romantic. It makes me feel at times, He knows what exactly will be written before my pen hits the page. Just like my sighs and the unspoken longings of my heart, He knows those words yet to be written. I encourage myself and others (shh, they dont know) within the pages of my journal journey. I laugh a lot as I write; crying even more. I even have a smudge in one journal where a bird pooped on my page while sitting under a glorious tree.

My journey is not quite complete, even if I dont write it down. I will be sure to when I can.
More laughter, tears, adventures, hurt, pain, awesomeness, hope, love and life to be scrawled on the papers set before me.

How flipping cool.

Adieu,
Anne

Baby, You're a Firework

Katy Perry's song will forever be burned into the Independence Day mix of songs. Sometimes I love the song, other times I long for some Ray Charles, "America the Beautiful".
And Team America... that's a whole different story.

When I think of July 4th, I think of:
- nathan's hotdog eating contest... it's like a trainwreck waiting to happen, you have to watch it!
- fireworks before they were banned in my city.
-poppers, that may have been popped to close to my face once.... (you know who you are!)
- the National Mall.
-fireworks at the hotel pool at home. (where I almost drown)
- the American traditions and how they may not be appropriate to mention in England, "Happy Independence, from you losers. America!!" Somehow, they don't think it's awesome...
-watching the fireworks from the top of an office building in DC with my sister.
-fireworks in general remind me of my brother...

What does the 4th of July remind you of?