Or maybe it should be of Johnny Heisman. Either way, never have I been more proud and overwhelmed by football. Yes, this tops the Aggie vs. Bama game. Barely. But it does. Maybe because that was the major catalyst for him to become the front runner for the Heisman. But both feats--the Heisman and Bama victories--were team efforts. The 12th man stands strong and proud as ever, but maybe that 3rd quarter slump that everyone feels is a little less potent. Maybe our knees and backs are just a little bit strengthened to stand for just a little while longer.
Johnny said that this [the Heisman Trophy] was for the 12th man. I genuinely believe that the 12th Man Spirit was part of his success. But I think we were so pumped because he was always so pumped and we knew how capable his hands were. His victories were our victories. Our campus is always bustling and alive, but Johnny and the fightin' Texas Aggie football team gave us a little extra fire. We anxiously waited to see how he would stun us every weekend, what amazing play he would pull, how he could find Swope or McNeal or Nwachukwu or Evans while he was on the move. How he could turn 3rd-and-23 into a touchdown by some quick moves and his sheer speed. I'm thrilled to be part of his 12th Man. I wouldn't have this season go any other way.
You have to give props to his offensive line. Luke Joekel said it well in his Outlander Defensive Player speech when he said "It's hard to protect someone when you don't know where he is." Johnny's O-Line protected him when he would refuse to stay in the pocket. They blocked. They defended. They stopped. They are a huge reason why the Aggies had such a successful season and why Johnny stayed off of his back and on his feet (most of the time).
I also have to give a thank you shout out to our Brazos River neighbor up in Wacky Waco for taking down Collin Klein. Baylor's defense showed up at the most opportune moment this season and I will always be grateful for that unlikely game where they were able to stop the ball. So, sic 'em?
Manti Te'o and Collin Klein are unbelievable football players and both of whom should have long, successful pro careers. I can't (and won't) take away how incredible they both are at what they do and both of them were well deserving of their nomination. I'm excited to watch both of them perform in their bowl games.
But, Te'o, you'll have to excuse me for pulling against you. Nothing personal--just want to keep those SEC National Champions rolling in. Plus, it'll make A&M look even better because we'll have beaten the champions. So, roll tide?
To everyone who scoffed, snickered, or joked before this season began about A&M in the SEC: You may have been validated then, but please don't try and take away our victories now. We've all seen the error of our ways by rolling our eyes at the idea of a competitive A&M in the nation's toughest conference. Yet it's become clear that the Ags are definitely formidable to anyone. By counting us out, you made our wins even sweeter and, every game, we won a little bit more appreciation and recognition. Let's just all make a pact and not make the same mistake for next season, shall we? Sweet.
It's still amazing to me that a freshman pulled out the win for the Heisman. He's a fellow member of the class of 2015. He threw up some unreal numbers--topping Cam Newton's total offensive yards in one fewer game. He's humble. He's classy. He's appreciative. He's Johnny Football.
I've said it once and I'll say it again:
New coach. New HEISMAN WINNING quarterback. New conference. New victories.
Same Old Army.
Gig 'em, Aggies.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Scheduling challenges...and other observations
I really love A&M. I wouldn't want to be at any other school, honestly. But their class registration system is a total nightmare.
So I had this really nice schedule for next semester planned out like a boss. No late classes, no classes before 10:00am. No big breaks. It was looking really good. That was two days ago. But now, a mere 5 hours before I register, almost every single class that I wanted is full or has about three spots left. It's pretty unfortunate. So I just went through everything and made a mediocre schedule that should get me through next semester.
But here's the real angst: I'll get done with class on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 11 (not that angsty). The nightmare part? It starts at eight in the morning. With a math class. If you knew me at all, you would know two things. 1. I am a night owl to the extreme and don't get along with my alarm clock when it wakes me up at 9am. 2. I hate, hate, HATE math. I'm an English major. You can't get anymore anti-math than that. So an unbelievably early class that deals with business calculus and stats? Uh, no thank you. But this awful first-come-first-serve pecking order of a registration system has left me with no choice. The joys of being a sophomore.
Ugh. The thought of it now--almost two months in advance to when I'll actually taking it--is repulsive. I know, I know. I'm incredibly blessed to go to school here and I'm not griping about the school work. That I can handle. But mornings...they just aren't fun. To all you chipper morning people out there, I'm jealous of you. I wish I could pop up at the crack of dawn, fix my coffee, and bounce out the door with a good attitude for my 8 o'clock class. I truly wish that math wasn't such a foreign subject to my English-oriented mind. But I can't and it isn't. I'm not like that.
In other news...Johnny Football. Breaking Cam Newton's record of total offensive yards in one fewer game? And people are still thinking he won't get the Heisman? From everything I've heard, dude's on top to take it. But anything can happen. We still have a week and a half until it is revealed, but the voting ended last night at 5pm, so there isn't much we can do now except cross our fingers and hope they voted the way the numbers shape up.
But even if he doesn't win (it'll be a gross injustice and quite a statement to the college football world if he doesn't), Johnny Manziel and the fightin' Texas Aggie football team of the 2012 season have made a huge statement. They provided a hope to this campus and shown long time fans how patience pays off. I've always been proud of my team. Frustrated for sure, but never ashamed. But all the letdowns of seasons past have been building up to an explosion of pure awesome.
When people this season have said that it's a good time to be an Aggie, they're right certainly. But I don't base my school pride on my football team. I put stock in our traditions, our values, how we can all come together as a student body in crazy ways that not many schools do. We convene once a month to remember Aggie students who have passed away. Aggies from around the country (and world) gather annually to remember every Aggie--current student or former student--who passed away that year. We have our own version of Silver Taps. We have organized yells, a gathering of 30,000 students who come to every football game, and a tree that determines your romantic future. I can't ever get to or from a class without seeing someone I know--which is so awesome.
But does it help that my football team is in the top 10 in the nation with potentially the first freshman Heisman winner? Yeah, maybe a little.
To answer the comment though: it's always a good time to be an Aggie.
Thanks, and gig 'em.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
21 for 21
Hey. I turned 21 yesterday, which is pretty weird. So I decided to list out 21 random things about me, that I have observed, or learned. Or whatever. This is a pretty random post. Bear with me, people.
1. Alcohol is pretty gross, y'all. My first impression: it tastes like how nail polish would taste. I don't think y'all will need to be worried about me going out and getting totally plastered. So there's that.
2. It is a requirement for southern people to refer to their parents as "Mother and Daddy".
3. A&M football is pretty much the best ever.
4. Life is hard. God is good.
5. You survive off of strange things in college (popcorn, strawberries, and grilled cheese)
6. Sometimes, when you sing and stomp loudly, the cops get called on you. Happy birthday to me. But if it's your birthday, they won't give you a ticket.
7. There's nothing quite like a Pine Cove birthday rap.
8. Every time Taylor Swift releases a new album, I am reminded of how good it feels to roll down the windows and have a jam session to angsty pseudo-country music.
9. Twitter is the new Facebook.
10. It is not abnormal to come home from class and immediately take your pants off.
11. Seeing the same movie 3 times in 10 days is acceptable. Pitch Perfect, you're welcome.
12. The best kind of friend is the one who can read your mind and answer whatever you were thinking about.
13. Sonic happy hour is the antidote to anything. Feel bad about a test? Go to sonic. Stressed? Go to sonic. Hungry? Go to sonic to get a drink to go with your food.
14. It's okay if you have to drop a class. The world won't end. Grades are not eternal.
15. I am loved despite me.
16. The Rangers are currently still one of the best teams in baseball regardless of their unfortunate season ending. And I still love them.
17. Princess Diaries never gets old.
18. 2 Corinthians 12:9. "And He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' So I will boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shine through me."
19. Sometimes I just ponder how much easier life would be if I could teleport. Like when I miss the bus or don't want to hike up 4 flights of stairs. That's weird, right?
20. I still wish I could sing, but I've found that singing loud and proud is more fun than trying to match pitch.
21. After 21 years of running into things, knocking things over, and tripping and falling, I've come to realize that I might have tight Achille's tendons or whatever, but I was made in the image of a perfect God. And if He wants me to be quirky and clumsy, then I'll take it.
Life lessons. They're abundant.
1. Alcohol is pretty gross, y'all. My first impression: it tastes like how nail polish would taste. I don't think y'all will need to be worried about me going out and getting totally plastered. So there's that.
2. It is a requirement for southern people to refer to their parents as "Mother and Daddy".
3. A&M football is pretty much the best ever.
4. Life is hard. God is good.
5. You survive off of strange things in college (popcorn, strawberries, and grilled cheese)
6. Sometimes, when you sing and stomp loudly, the cops get called on you. Happy birthday to me. But if it's your birthday, they won't give you a ticket.
7. There's nothing quite like a Pine Cove birthday rap.
8. Every time Taylor Swift releases a new album, I am reminded of how good it feels to roll down the windows and have a jam session to angsty pseudo-country music.
9. Twitter is the new Facebook.
10. It is not abnormal to come home from class and immediately take your pants off.
11. Seeing the same movie 3 times in 10 days is acceptable. Pitch Perfect, you're welcome.
12. The best kind of friend is the one who can read your mind and answer whatever you were thinking about.
13. Sonic happy hour is the antidote to anything. Feel bad about a test? Go to sonic. Stressed? Go to sonic. Hungry? Go to sonic to get a drink to go with your food.
14. It's okay if you have to drop a class. The world won't end. Grades are not eternal.
15. I am loved despite me.
16. The Rangers are currently still one of the best teams in baseball regardless of their unfortunate season ending. And I still love them.
17. Princess Diaries never gets old.
18. 2 Corinthians 12:9. "And He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' So I will boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may shine through me."
19. Sometimes I just ponder how much easier life would be if I could teleport. Like when I miss the bus or don't want to hike up 4 flights of stairs. That's weird, right?
20. I still wish I could sing, but I've found that singing loud and proud is more fun than trying to match pitch.
21. After 21 years of running into things, knocking things over, and tripping and falling, I've come to realize that I might have tight Achille's tendons or whatever, but I was made in the image of a perfect God. And if He wants me to be quirky and clumsy, then I'll take it.
Life lessons. They're abundant.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Gig 'em Aggies.
Hello, college football world. I think A&M has sufficiently proved to everyone--announcers, fans, teams, and, if I'm being honest, myself--that they are now a football force to be reckoned with and that their conference move was not a negative decision.
This is not a post about how the SEC is a million times better than A&M's former conference, the Big 12. Why? Because the Big 12 had almost all of it's teams ranked at some point this year. How many other conferences can claim that? No, not even the SEC. My rivalry with those teams hasn't died, but a rivalry is different than, say, a grudge. Rivalries have a level of respect and I immensely respect every team in that conference. Do I like all of them? No, of course not. Will I talk smack about them? Sure. But I will never try to take away the fact that they are good teams and the Big 12 is not, by anyone's standards, a tragedy of a conference. I'd venture to say that it's in the top 5 in the nation.
That being said, I'm thrilled to be in the SEC. I miss the longstanding rivalries that I've grown accustomed to (Texas, Baylor, Tech, etc), but the time for change had come. I was unwilling to accept this at first and was afraid that my team was going to get smashed into Aggie pancakes. But we've held our own against traditionally top 10 powerhouses like LSU, Florida, and Alabama. It's been incredible to watch how one of my favorite teams has flourished and grown and pushed through obstacles. I have the Big 12 to thank for molding us into the team that we are (honest, zero sarcasm in that). And I have the SEC to thank for pushing us so we can prove that we are the Aggies (the Aggies are we!)
But now I'm just going to brag a little bit. I think we've earned it.
Kevin Sumlin is no spring chicken when it comes to A&M and upsets. 10 years ago to the weekend, Sumlin--then the offensive coordinator for the Ags--coached a redshirted freshman into upsetting the No. #1 OU. History has a habit of repeating itself. As the Aggies marched into Tuscaloosa today, the whole world felt like they were marching to a death beat. You don't go into that stadium and win, especially when that thing holds over 100,000 people and they are all supporting the top team in the nation--which isn't you. It just doesn't happen.
But it did.
When it comes to college football, as I have learned, it comes down to who wants it more, not who the better team is. And it was more important for the Aggies to prove who we are and where we belong than for the Crimson Tide to protect their title. I still have so much respect for every team in the Southeastern Conference and think that if A&M and Alabama played 10 times, Bama would probably come out on top more than A&M would. This, however, was the time that counted.
But was it pretty fun to watch all the stunned faces while the War Hymn echoed through Tuscaloosa? Oh yeah. And did I saw varsity's horns off in the street tonight with some of my friends after the clock ran down to zero? You bet.
New coach. New quarterback. New conference. New victories.
Same Old Army.
FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS. FARMERS. FARMERS FARMERS FIGHT A! A-A-A-A-AAAAAAAAAAA.
This is not a post about how the SEC is a million times better than A&M's former conference, the Big 12. Why? Because the Big 12 had almost all of it's teams ranked at some point this year. How many other conferences can claim that? No, not even the SEC. My rivalry with those teams hasn't died, but a rivalry is different than, say, a grudge. Rivalries have a level of respect and I immensely respect every team in that conference. Do I like all of them? No, of course not. Will I talk smack about them? Sure. But I will never try to take away the fact that they are good teams and the Big 12 is not, by anyone's standards, a tragedy of a conference. I'd venture to say that it's in the top 5 in the nation.
That being said, I'm thrilled to be in the SEC. I miss the longstanding rivalries that I've grown accustomed to (Texas, Baylor, Tech, etc), but the time for change had come. I was unwilling to accept this at first and was afraid that my team was going to get smashed into Aggie pancakes. But we've held our own against traditionally top 10 powerhouses like LSU, Florida, and Alabama. It's been incredible to watch how one of my favorite teams has flourished and grown and pushed through obstacles. I have the Big 12 to thank for molding us into the team that we are (honest, zero sarcasm in that). And I have the SEC to thank for pushing us so we can prove that we are the Aggies (the Aggies are we!)
But now I'm just going to brag a little bit. I think we've earned it.
Kevin Sumlin is no spring chicken when it comes to A&M and upsets. 10 years ago to the weekend, Sumlin--then the offensive coordinator for the Ags--coached a redshirted freshman into upsetting the No. #1 OU. History has a habit of repeating itself. As the Aggies marched into Tuscaloosa today, the whole world felt like they were marching to a death beat. You don't go into that stadium and win, especially when that thing holds over 100,000 people and they are all supporting the top team in the nation--which isn't you. It just doesn't happen.
But it did.
When it comes to college football, as I have learned, it comes down to who wants it more, not who the better team is. And it was more important for the Aggies to prove who we are and where we belong than for the Crimson Tide to protect their title. I still have so much respect for every team in the Southeastern Conference and think that if A&M and Alabama played 10 times, Bama would probably come out on top more than A&M would. This, however, was the time that counted.
But was it pretty fun to watch all the stunned faces while the War Hymn echoed through Tuscaloosa? Oh yeah. And did I saw varsity's horns off in the street tonight with some of my friends after the clock ran down to zero? You bet.
New coach. New quarterback. New conference. New victories.
Same Old Army.
FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS FIGHT. FARMERS. FARMERS. FARMERS FARMERS FIGHT A! A-A-A-A-AAAAAAAAAAA.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Random Post of Life Update
Howdy y'all. Needed to get my Aggie-ness out there for a second. It'll be a good segway into...
Going to get squashed in the SEC my left pinky toe! Take that all you Big 12 haters. Because the latest BCS standings show that OU is the only Big 12 team in front of the good Ags of A&M. And our dear friends in Missouri were projected to be competitive with SEC teams and they've lost almost every conference game. The only games A&M has lost have been against LSU and Florida, the numbers 1 and 6 ranked teams and Florida beat LSU. So I would say A&M is looking pretty dang good. This weekend at Mississippi State will be a good test of how the fighting farmers will do, but I'm optimistic about our chances.
Did I ever say we'd be the best team in the SEC? Absolutely not. We have formidable opponents and we still struggle in areas that we should be solid in. But look at our starters. The only two "major names" that are seniors are Ryan Swope (he's white! he's bright! he's got a lot of fight!) and Christine Michael. Both of them are total studs and we'll miss them next year. But look at Ben Molena, Mike Evans, and Johnny "Football" Manziel! All underclassmen. And, on defense, we have massive players like Damontre Moore who still have solid time left on the team. From this point, A&M's football program can only go one direction: up. And if my redshirted freshman QB who is breaking records his first year of SEC play and on a Heisman watch list, heck, the Ags might even be headed for one of the top 5 BCS bowls (maybe even the championship) in the next few years. Who knows? But I've got a lot of hope for this team. We're a top 20 team now. And we don't even have our own network. Gig 'em, Aggies.
Now, here's a nice list of my latest tunes that I put on while in my car:
1. "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
2. "Riff Off" from Pitch Perfect
3. "22" by Taylor Swift
4. "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift
5. "Lord, Save me From Myself" by Jon Foreman
6. "Slumber" by NEEDTOBREATHE
7. "She Is" by Ben Rector
8. "All My Fountains" by Chris Tomlin
9. "Therapy" by Relient K
10. "One Thing" by One Direction
And guess who doesn't have another test until November 20th? This girl.
There's a brief overview of my life. You're welcome, Mom and Dad.
Going to get squashed in the SEC my left pinky toe! Take that all you Big 12 haters. Because the latest BCS standings show that OU is the only Big 12 team in front of the good Ags of A&M. And our dear friends in Missouri were projected to be competitive with SEC teams and they've lost almost every conference game. The only games A&M has lost have been against LSU and Florida, the numbers 1 and 6 ranked teams and Florida beat LSU. So I would say A&M is looking pretty dang good. This weekend at Mississippi State will be a good test of how the fighting farmers will do, but I'm optimistic about our chances.
Did I ever say we'd be the best team in the SEC? Absolutely not. We have formidable opponents and we still struggle in areas that we should be solid in. But look at our starters. The only two "major names" that are seniors are Ryan Swope (he's white! he's bright! he's got a lot of fight!) and Christine Michael. Both of them are total studs and we'll miss them next year. But look at Ben Molena, Mike Evans, and Johnny "Football" Manziel! All underclassmen. And, on defense, we have massive players like Damontre Moore who still have solid time left on the team. From this point, A&M's football program can only go one direction: up. And if my redshirted freshman QB who is breaking records his first year of SEC play and on a Heisman watch list, heck, the Ags might even be headed for one of the top 5 BCS bowls (maybe even the championship) in the next few years. Who knows? But I've got a lot of hope for this team. We're a top 20 team now. And we don't even have our own network. Gig 'em, Aggies.
Now, here's a nice list of my latest tunes that I put on while in my car:
1. "It's Time" by Imagine Dragons
2. "Riff Off" from Pitch Perfect
3. "22" by Taylor Swift
4. "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift
5. "Lord, Save me From Myself" by Jon Foreman
6. "Slumber" by NEEDTOBREATHE
7. "She Is" by Ben Rector
8. "All My Fountains" by Chris Tomlin
9. "Therapy" by Relient K
10. "One Thing" by One Direction
And guess who doesn't have another test until November 20th? This girl.
There's a brief overview of my life. You're welcome, Mom and Dad.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Being held.
So. I ride the bus to and from school. Like middle school, except I don't look as awkward and actually have friends now.
Anyways. While on the bus, I play Russian Roulette with my iPod and see what interesting music I've put on there over the years. Through iPod to iPod, all my songs have stayed relatively the same and only recently did I do a mass purge of the 100 ancient MercyMe songs that kept coming up.
The other day, I was plugged in and the songs "Alive Again" by Matt Maher and "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North came up back to back. And I just had this really vivid mental picture of me being literally held by a very large pair of hands (specifically God's hands).
Okay so you picture it now.
God carrying you through life and you are just having a nice conversation with him and you're just hanging out in the hands. You feel really safe and have zero worries. He gives you everything you need and y'all are just having a good old time, loving each other and being great friends.
Then you stand up in the hands and check out what's around you. God shows you where to look and you're like, "Oh yeah, that's awesome!" and then you get distracted. There's this guy/girl (your preference) who is really attractive and gives you this smile. You realize that you're single and that you really want to be with that person. Obviously, God knows you've completely zoned out but you keep hearing him say something. You ignore him. I mean, he made that person too. Why wouldn't he want you to be with them? So you hop out of the hands and go hang out with this person. God is following you, still talking, but you aren't focused on him right now. Time goes by. This person breaks your heart. You're alone again. You spin around and God is still right behind you. He offers you his hands. You climb back in. You cry, apologize, ask for forgiveness, which he does. You start to feel better and more comfortable. You settle back in, hanging with him and loving it. He tells you that the time was not ready, that there is a season for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3).
You feel less vulnerable now and decide to check out the scenery again. There's this group of people who look really cool. There's no other way to describe it. They just exude that something that you want. But they probably don't stand for what you do...maybe you can tell them about God? You decide on that course of action and jump out but make sure God is behind you. The second you get in with that group, you forget about him though. You start doing things you never thought you'd do. They tease you and make you feel worthless but you think you'd even be more worthless without them, so you stay. You feel trapped, so you do everything you can to numb it. You wake up one morning and don't know where you are or what you've been doing to yourself. You feel someone pick you up and panic because you've learned to not trust anyone, including your friends. But these hands are gentle and you know who it is. You're deeply ashamed, but stay with him. Again, you beg for him to forgive you and are so relieved when he does. (Galatians 3:26).
When he's nursed you back and you feel secure in him again, you begin to look at yourself. You realize why that group didn't like you--you're ugly, you're stupid, you aren't funny, you're good to be the brunt of the jokes, people feel better about themselves when they're around you because you're just so pathetic. You get depressed and turn your anger to God. How could he make you this way? Wasn't he supposed to be perfect? Why'd he mess up with you? He looks at you in disbelief and takes the distorted mirror you've been looking in and throws it so far you can't see where it landed. Then he gives you a proper one. You realize that you have a good smile and bright eyes. You don't hate your body. You make a goofy comment and God laughs. He delights in you. He loves you. (Psalm 139).
Where you struggle, he strengthens (2 Corinthians 12). Where you fall, he forgives (Ephesians 1:7). And his love is vast, unending, and perfect (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Anyways. While on the bus, I play Russian Roulette with my iPod and see what interesting music I've put on there over the years. Through iPod to iPod, all my songs have stayed relatively the same and only recently did I do a mass purge of the 100 ancient MercyMe songs that kept coming up.
The other day, I was plugged in and the songs "Alive Again" by Matt Maher and "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North came up back to back. And I just had this really vivid mental picture of me being literally held by a very large pair of hands (specifically God's hands).
Okay so you picture it now.
God carrying you through life and you are just having a nice conversation with him and you're just hanging out in the hands. You feel really safe and have zero worries. He gives you everything you need and y'all are just having a good old time, loving each other and being great friends.
Then you stand up in the hands and check out what's around you. God shows you where to look and you're like, "Oh yeah, that's awesome!" and then you get distracted. There's this guy/girl (your preference) who is really attractive and gives you this smile. You realize that you're single and that you really want to be with that person. Obviously, God knows you've completely zoned out but you keep hearing him say something. You ignore him. I mean, he made that person too. Why wouldn't he want you to be with them? So you hop out of the hands and go hang out with this person. God is following you, still talking, but you aren't focused on him right now. Time goes by. This person breaks your heart. You're alone again. You spin around and God is still right behind you. He offers you his hands. You climb back in. You cry, apologize, ask for forgiveness, which he does. You start to feel better and more comfortable. You settle back in, hanging with him and loving it. He tells you that the time was not ready, that there is a season for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3).
You feel less vulnerable now and decide to check out the scenery again. There's this group of people who look really cool. There's no other way to describe it. They just exude that something that you want. But they probably don't stand for what you do...maybe you can tell them about God? You decide on that course of action and jump out but make sure God is behind you. The second you get in with that group, you forget about him though. You start doing things you never thought you'd do. They tease you and make you feel worthless but you think you'd even be more worthless without them, so you stay. You feel trapped, so you do everything you can to numb it. You wake up one morning and don't know where you are or what you've been doing to yourself. You feel someone pick you up and panic because you've learned to not trust anyone, including your friends. But these hands are gentle and you know who it is. You're deeply ashamed, but stay with him. Again, you beg for him to forgive you and are so relieved when he does. (Galatians 3:26).
When he's nursed you back and you feel secure in him again, you begin to look at yourself. You realize why that group didn't like you--you're ugly, you're stupid, you aren't funny, you're good to be the brunt of the jokes, people feel better about themselves when they're around you because you're just so pathetic. You get depressed and turn your anger to God. How could he make you this way? Wasn't he supposed to be perfect? Why'd he mess up with you? He looks at you in disbelief and takes the distorted mirror you've been looking in and throws it so far you can't see where it landed. Then he gives you a proper one. You realize that you have a good smile and bright eyes. You don't hate your body. You make a goofy comment and God laughs. He delights in you. He loves you. (Psalm 139).
Where you struggle, he strengthens (2 Corinthians 12). Where you fall, he forgives (Ephesians 1:7). And his love is vast, unending, and perfect (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Grown up. For real. Sort of.
So here's the deal: I'm way spoiled.
For 19 years, my parents (mostly Mom--Dad is a whole other, equally as important ball game) bought groceries, cooked, did laundry, stayed on top of homework/activities/lives for three children, and managed to have a social life. And now I'm taking care of one and I'm like "THIS IS SO HARD." Grocery shopping, actually making real food, knowing what needs to be refrigerated and when things spoil...food is overwhelming. And then you've got to fill up with gas and go buy your own medicine when you're sick and do annoying grown up stuff. I didn't think I was prepared for this.
But I am. My parents have done an exceptional job of preparing me for the real world. Because I won't call my Coppell house home for much longer. I'll never go back to someone consistently buying and making my food. In a few years, I'll be paying for my own gas and insurance and bills. College is four years of practice before I get pushed out into the world with a diploma and some handy lessons that I picked up.
Yesterday was an excellent example of my growing adultness.
So I have this real weird version of hypothyroidism (translation: my thyroid doesn't work). So when I'm put on new medicine for it, I have to get my blood drawn to make sure it's actually working. I've never done that by myself before. Until yesterday. I got up early, got dressed, and headed to find the College Station Medical Center. I checked myself in (successfully spelling my name wrong at first), filled out my insurance info, and waited until my name was called. They took my blood, I drove to class. I felt like a regular grown up! Weird!
Then, my roommate Myles and I needed to go to Goodwill after class in search of Hawaiian clothes. We got in my car and it struggled to start. I have one of those weird keyless cars that you just push a button for and it just was not working as well as it should. So I was a little concerned but not too much. Then, as we emerged from Goodwill with our purchases and climbed in the car, it just stopped. When I want to start my car, I push the brake all the way down while pushing the button. The brake wasn't going down. But I didn't panic! A shock to both Myles and myself. I called my mom and asked what to do and she just said to call the Nissan place in College Station. So I called them while Myles got ahold of a friend who knew more about cars than we did (thank you Ethan!). The Nissan guy (Johnny) gave me instructions to push the brake as hard as I could (meaning that Ethan pushed it as hard as he could) and--tada! The car started. And I promptly drove it straight to the Nissan place.
Moral of the day: I didn't panic. A year ago, I would've been freaking the heck out. But I wasn't. I've been equipped with the ability now to think clearly and rationally through situations before getting mad, panicking, or something just as unproductive. Growing up might not be so bad.
Shout out to my parents for being awesome, to Myles for sticking with me, to Ethan for temporarily fixing my car, and to Joy for picking us up at the Nissan dealership. My friends and family rock.
For 19 years, my parents (mostly Mom--Dad is a whole other, equally as important ball game) bought groceries, cooked, did laundry, stayed on top of homework/activities/lives for three children, and managed to have a social life. And now I'm taking care of one and I'm like "THIS IS SO HARD." Grocery shopping, actually making real food, knowing what needs to be refrigerated and when things spoil...food is overwhelming. And then you've got to fill up with gas and go buy your own medicine when you're sick and do annoying grown up stuff. I didn't think I was prepared for this.
But I am. My parents have done an exceptional job of preparing me for the real world. Because I won't call my Coppell house home for much longer. I'll never go back to someone consistently buying and making my food. In a few years, I'll be paying for my own gas and insurance and bills. College is four years of practice before I get pushed out into the world with a diploma and some handy lessons that I picked up.
Yesterday was an excellent example of my growing adultness.
So I have this real weird version of hypothyroidism (translation: my thyroid doesn't work). So when I'm put on new medicine for it, I have to get my blood drawn to make sure it's actually working. I've never done that by myself before. Until yesterday. I got up early, got dressed, and headed to find the College Station Medical Center. I checked myself in (successfully spelling my name wrong at first), filled out my insurance info, and waited until my name was called. They took my blood, I drove to class. I felt like a regular grown up! Weird!
Then, my roommate Myles and I needed to go to Goodwill after class in search of Hawaiian clothes. We got in my car and it struggled to start. I have one of those weird keyless cars that you just push a button for and it just was not working as well as it should. So I was a little concerned but not too much. Then, as we emerged from Goodwill with our purchases and climbed in the car, it just stopped. When I want to start my car, I push the brake all the way down while pushing the button. The brake wasn't going down. But I didn't panic! A shock to both Myles and myself. I called my mom and asked what to do and she just said to call the Nissan place in College Station. So I called them while Myles got ahold of a friend who knew more about cars than we did (thank you Ethan!). The Nissan guy (Johnny) gave me instructions to push the brake as hard as I could (meaning that Ethan pushed it as hard as he could) and--tada! The car started. And I promptly drove it straight to the Nissan place.
Moral of the day: I didn't panic. A year ago, I would've been freaking the heck out. But I wasn't. I've been equipped with the ability now to think clearly and rationally through situations before getting mad, panicking, or something just as unproductive. Growing up might not be so bad.
Shout out to my parents for being awesome, to Myles for sticking with me, to Ethan for temporarily fixing my car, and to Joy for picking us up at the Nissan dealership. My friends and family rock.
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