Friday, December 14, 2007

News and Food

Well we finally have cold weather in Nashville!! It has been so back and forth I was getting frustrated. Last week I showed up to Hutch's house with a long-sleeved shirt, sweater, and a REALLY thick scarf to see his grandma waiting for me in a t-shirt. (FYI: She was dressed appropriately for that days weather.) I was so determined to make it winter (I mean it WAS the middle of DECEMBER for Pete's sake), that I stood my ground and suffocated my way through the whole day. Oh well, it was winter in my heart. (Awww...hahaha)

So I changed my blog because I wanted something different, but I'm not sure this is what I want either. So be prepared for more changes. I'm feeling indecisive today.

My new favorite coffee (other than anything at STARBUCKS)...Caramel Truffle Coffee. I used to be in an a capella group at Carolina (Go Tar Heels!) and we while on a retreat to the beach one September we found this lovely treat. It makes your house smell heavenly and taste just as good! :) Blue and gold bag on the coffee aisle. ;)

I am tired of watching the news. I don't do it often and one night last week I was reminded of why. There was not one positive or uplifting story in sight. NOT ONE. Everything I heard (not so much watched because I was playing SNOOD on my computer) was about somebody that got killed, somebody that was in jail for killing the somebody that got killed, school-shootings, missing children, sex-offender trials, scandals in politics, and a handful of other depressing topics. Normally there is at least one story about a cute kid winning an art contest whose work is now displayed in some building in the city, or a thing or two about bringing "holiday cheer" to others. (Don't get me started on people not being able to say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" anymore...) But there just wasn't anything to smile about. At first I was just mad at the news anchors (like they have anything to do with what they read off the paper). And then I was just mad at everybody. Why is it that nobody seems to care enough about the positive stuff to report it on national television?

My heart was marked the day they played the Invisible Children Documentary (click the name for the website if you are unfamiliar with this) at a very small showing at Carolina during the initial college tour of this video. I have been amazed at the ripple effect of efforts that those 3 boys started just out of a curiosity they had to see what was really going on in Uganda. I have always had a soft spot for Africa because my parents were missionaries there for 2 years before I was born. I have always known that I would go there someday, and I will be on the plane the day that the Lord says "Go". Please check this story out if you have no idea what I am talking about. It is pretty amazing what these college-aged boys were able to do with a little video camera and a lot of heart.

Speaking of Africa, I have a sponsor child named Lizzy that lives in Tanzania (an amazing story because she lives in the EXACT SAME TOWN that my parents used to live in...coincidence? I think not!) I think about her more this time of year and wonder what kind of Christmas they have at her house. I always send her extra money so that those who take care of her family's Christmas can make sure she has what she needs (and wants, if possible) and it just makes me wonder why we stress so much over buying each other presents. $18 dollars is all that this organization asks to provide for each child for Christmas. EIGHTEEN DOLLARS. That's 1/2 a gas tank for my Honda. And yet here I sit fretting over whether or not I have enough money left after bills to give my family the gifts they want. We need nothing and yet we spend until we're in debt during this time of year because somewhere along the way it became more about what you GOT for Christmas than the reason we even call it CHRISTmas. I am making a commitment right now to change the attitude in my heart about Christmas and QUIT stressing over what I am able to give to people. God gave us everything in that little baby Jesus and if that isn't enough for every heart, then nothing my money could buy ever will be.

I sponsor Lizzy through Compassion International, and there are lots of other amazing organizations like World Vision (which Avalon and numerous other artist and groups) represent). I really encourage you to think about sponsoring a child if you've never considered it. Just getting to read Lizzy's letters is more than enough in return for the $30 a month (that's only a handful of trips to Starbucks...or ONE night out to eat if you're buying for a small family) I pay for her to eat and go to school. I think the girl knows more about the Bible than I do, and she is only 10 years old.

Ok, so I made peanut butter balls last night (I won't even tell you what is in them) and now I'm thinking that it was a big mistake. Why you ask? Because 2 of my 4 roommates have already left for the holidays, which means that leaves Laura and I with a HUGE container of a-heart-attack-waiting-to-happen to eat ourselves. (Not to mention the reindeer cookies and white-trash goodies we also made.)
Another random though: I LOVE drinking sparkling grape juice this time of year. The funniest thing is when the person at the check-out counter asks for your ID only to be met with a funny look as you say "um, it's grape juice".

I have been sickly the last few days, and am now stocked up on Airborne. (I think I just spelled that wrong.) Which won't help my chronic allergies/asthma but it makes me feel better like I tried. It will have to suffice until I get my prescriptions refilled. They have a new kind out that you put in hot water to dissolve and it's supposed to taste like Apple Cider. What a let-down. We have the real stuff here left over from a party my roommate had a few weeks ago, so I was able regain my trust in the real thing.

And my last random tidbit for the day...I have been reading 1 Peter for a couple of days and just felt the need to post part of one of the chapters that keeps coming up in my week in conversations and sermons and Bible studies...I figured if I really needed to be reminded of this, then maybe someone else would be blessed by it as well. Happy Friday :)

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Pet. 2:9-10)

23 comments:

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Abbey! I LOOOVE the new look. I think it is so cool. I wish I coul dmake mine like that but I dont know how to change the backgroud to anything but a color. To cool.
Nashville! I looove Nashville too. There is somethng about Nashville that seems like home to me. I visit quite often. I have a freiend that moved to Nashville last spring. He is a newcaster (speaking of news) I cannot reclall which station. His name is Chris Tatum. Have you heard of him? He is so kind and so funny.
You have really inspired me to adppot a child. I will look into the organization you recommened. I think that Lizzy living in Tanzania where your parenst did is so NOT a fluke. Everything has purpose and reason. WOW!
Ok, you are the second to mention peanut butter balls (also Jenny Hope) I am so wanting some now. I think I will make some this weekend. Maybe I will share, mayeb I won't. Wish I was with ya to partake of the white trash!
Have a blessed weekend!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

BTW-Your new profile pic is gorgeous. What a nice picture, nice subject and good photographer. Can I use it on mine? Just kidding. But ya know I traffic would probably pick up. LOL. Better than my mug....

Lindsee Lou said...

1) Love the new look...it's probably my fav so far!

2) I too am tired of the weather being ridiculously moody...stay COLD already!

3) Love Invisible Children. A group from my church at school is leaving for Uganda on Sunday! Awesomeness!

4) I hope you feel better after being sick!

5) Love you, sweet friend! Seriously can't wait for Siesta Fiesta!! It's been on my mind so much lately!

Linds

jennyhope said...

i love you Abby! I have missed you! =0)

I love that version of holy roar on your play list.

Profbaugh said...

Oh man!! Now I want some peanut butter balls.

~Cheryl

Fran said...

Hey girl...
I couldn't agree more with everything you said in all this news and food. News is terrible.
Makes me mad too. Can we not show just a piece of hope and goodness out there??

I'm so gonna try the coffee you mentioned from Starbucks. BC you see I am an addict. :)

And, I am making peanut butter balls today. And on the treadmill first.

Have a wonderful weekend Abby. I love the new look but also know that you might chanage it 100 times before the finished product.
Its addicting to mess and play with it!

Love ya~
Fran

BethAnne said...

I am liking the new look. There are too many to choose from if you ask me. You could spend days trying to decide. I was so glad to see your comment - you have been in hiding :-)
What on earth are YOU going on Weight Watchers for? You are beautiful just like you are and I have never seen you in person, but I can tell from your pics that you do not need to lose weight (although after those peanut butter balls you might). My sister and mother did WW and they were really successful. I have to admit that I dont like the idea of weighing in. I never want anyone to know how much I weigh! I used to weigh 130 and I have gained 12 lbs! You do the math! (Before you say "That isnt much" let me tell you that I am 5'2").
What are white trash goodies? (Like I need them) They sound like something I need to know about!
My niece sponsors a child (Alexander) and she is sending him things all the time - it is so sweet! We have friends that are missionaries to Turkana in Africa and we send the kids there school supplies - its amamzing how things we think little of (pencils, paper) are huge to those kids. WE (and our kids) have no idea how good we have it. It is only by the grace of God that we arent in some 3rd world country starving right now. God is good to us! Praise the Lord, I might have a spell right here at my computer!

How do you stand to drink that Airborne stuff? It tastes like Alka Seltzer in pee to me. (not that I drink alka seltzer in pee - just what I think it might taste like).
If you are feeling sick, get some V-8 Fusion (I think its made by V-8) - it will fix you right up!
Okay, sorry for the book! Glad to hear from you!

Angela Baylis said...

I agree with everyone else... I LOVE the new look! You are so funny. I keep hearing about the peanut butter buckeyes... that's what we call the peanut butter balls. That is the only cookie/candy I make during the holidays! Maybe today is the day if I get my shopping done! I am in total agreement about the news! People mention the depressing stories and a lot of times I don't even know what they are talking about because I tend to turn off the news when it gets depressing!

Keep the new look!
Love,
Angie xoxo
p.s. Do you all really want cold weather? Come to Michigan!

Sharon Brumfield said...

I love the new look. I think for the new year I will try the same.
Where did you go to get yours?
I will begin my Christmas baking soon. The longer I put it off the more my heart loves me. :)
I will have to agree with you on the new.We have made a mess of this creation God gave us. It is so good to know that one day soon He will return it to what it was meant to be.

Little Steps Of Faith said...

Love the look too:) It reminds me of that DCB song, " O Praise Him", have you ever seen the video for it? Awesome:)
Thank you for your overly sweet comment on my blog, I just love your encouraging heart!!!
I think a lot of this heaviness also comes from my own heart...despertly needing ME and GOD time, now that school is over...looking SO forward to it.
Anyways, I will check back in soon:)
Have a great one:)
Ang

Little Steps Of Faith said...

And FL weather...so not Christmasy yet! UGH!

God's girl said...

"God gave us everything in that little baby Jesus and if that isn't enough for every heart, then nothing my money could buy ever will be".----That quote has to be the BEST Christmas quote I have heard yet.

I am in Chattanooga so I understand this crazy weather! I am ready for winter too. I had me and my two girls and I all dressed warm clothes then stepped out and wow turned right back down to change.

I love the pic at the top of blog-great for freedom. Goes well with Unshackled.

I need to check out invisible children now.
You are a blessing!
Much love,
Angela

Lisa said...

Hey Abbey!

I stumbled upon your blog and want to say that although I am just a girl in blogland to you and my vote may not matter, I LOVE the look of our blog. I don't know your age, (you are clearly younger than me! :), but I am totally impressed with your maturity -- just the fact that you have a best friend twice your age and you read Brennan Manning makes you rock in my book! And...I used to live in Brentwood a few years ago. Nashville is one of my fav places, too!

So, thanks for letting me comment. I loved what you said in your profile! Come visit me at my blog...www.lisawhittle.blogspot.com
Keep loving Jesus, Abbey!
Lisa in North Carolina

Kristin said...

Hi Abby! I found your blog through LPM and have visited before, but not commented. I'm delurking myself though, because I'm drawn back here whenever I see you on other blogs I read. You have such a sweet heart for God and I enjoy your honesty. You are beautiful girl with a beautiful heart! And I loved hearing about your new job, it sounds like a dream, and that boy is too cute! Blessings to you ~ Kristin

ocean mommy said...

Well sweet girl, I love the new look here! Ditto on the winter weather. Our part of Atlanta had a few flakes of snow this morning. I think we saw 3 coming out of church, but hey it was something. The coolest thing was that on the way into church we saw a rainbow. How great is our God?!!

Have a wonderful week!

blessings
steph.

oh yea, next time I'm at the store, I'm finding that coffee! Sounds heavenly. :)

Alana said...

I agree about the news. I rarely watch it as a result. The peanut butter balls sounds yummy. I love anything peanut butter. You may need to share some recipes.

I love that you sponsor a Compassion child. Such an amazing ministry.

Winter weather has hit here for sure, you would not feel out of place in your sweater and scarf ;-)

He Knows My Name said...

abby this is such a good combination. i love the swirly grey and white background. the new picture is also great.

caramel truffle coffee? now that sounds like one i want to try.

tanzania is surely no coincidence. i love when God show us He is paying attention to the details of our lives.

i hope you are feeling better.

glad he called me out of the darkness into His light in freezing cold snow laden michigan
~janel

Ms. Kathleen said...

It is so nice to meet someone who sponsors a child. We are on our second. The first child we had from age 4 to 18. And it was so hard to never hear anything about him again. Now we have a little girl through Mission of Mercy. God Bless Your Giving Heart! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AK said...

yay for peanut butter balls!

And ministries for children, it's such a priviledge to be able to minister to those in need.

connorcolesmom said...

Abby
I loved the update. I totally agre about the weather - it is finally cold here in GA as well.
I thought I wanted cold until it came and now I want it just a little cold :)
I stopped watching the news when my oldest son was born almost 8 yrs ago. Truth be told I did not want his little ears to hear all that horrible stuff so hubby and I do not turn on the tv at all while they are awake.
Oh and the whole happy holidays thing - ugh!!
I told the post office people - "Oh no you mean Merry Christmas!"
We also sponsor 2 children from World Vision and just got a letter from our oldest boy. We loved it and pray for both of them everyday. We hope to one day meet them in person.
Abby you are great and I just love you!
Your true emotions and love for God just shines!
May God bless you and I hope feel better soon!
Love ya,
Kim

jennyhope said...

i like the new blog! i am all about some change as well!
the weather is crazy here! I am so going to have to pay you a visit with i come to your town. i am trying to plan a trip for Jan! =)

Angela Baylis said...

Hi Abby,
I just wanted to tell you that I loved your re-cap on the LPM Blog-a-versary post yesterday! I've been here too and am so blessed!
Much love to you today!
Angie xoxo

God's girl said...

Change...Yes, change is hard. It sounds like you made it though! Glad you had a good one.
Blessings,
Angela