Time Off= New Discoveries

As previously noted, I have the month of May off. Through this month of relaxation, I have discovered new revelations about myself. For instance:

1. I can fly through 300 page books when there is no highlighter involved.
2. I constantly feel like I need to be accomplishing something.
(This need includes feeling guilty for relaxing... which is dumb)

3. If I was a housewife, my house would be immaculate...or at least not gross.
4. Time off is essential for me to keep a firm grip on my sanity.

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Thanks to my loving family, I got an amazing digital SLR camera for graduation. So, here's to the beginning of my "photography" career..

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more to come...

It's finally May!

For the past month, I have been slowly waning. Finding motivation to finish my undergraduate career was a challenge to say the least. The month of May has been the light at the end of the tunnel. May represents freedom, relaxation, and a much needed break. I can't believe May is finally here! On Friday, May 2nd, I graduated from Johnson Bible College with a B.S. in Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies. I now have a whole month to read books (for fun), take carefree, Spring walks, and enjoy a much needed rest....until June.

Your life is an occasion...rise to it

As a future kindergarten teacher, I have a deep love for children's books and kids movies. The pictures, the simplicity, the creativity...it is all warm and inspiring. As of late these children's past times have struck a deeper cord within me. I watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium tonight. In congruence with many children's films, deeper meanings underlie the surface story. For me, the story inspires a belief in oneself, a need for play and creativity, and the importance of truly meeting each moment life brings... "Life is an occasion. Rise to it." -Mr. Magorium. For me, these seemingly obvious truths are often overshadowed by life's business. I am thankful for important reminders that come in such unexpected packages...

Pay Attention

“The unexpected sound of your name on somebody’s lips.
The good dream.
The odd coincidence.
The moment that brings tears to your eyes.
The person who brings life to your life.
Maybe even the smallest events hold the greatest clues.

If it is God we are looking for, as I suspect all of us are, even if we don’t think of it that way, maybe the reason we haven’t found Him is that we are not looking in the right places.”
Frederick Buechner

PF Changs

"You've never been to PF Changs?"
"Nope, never. But I LOVE Chinese food."
"Well, we will definitely have to go when we get back to the states."
"...(blush)...okay"

This conversation on the rooftop of the Mission in Grande Goav, Haiti marked the beginning of a grande tradition in the Sawyer household. On that rooftop, Michael and I had our first real conversation about life as we began the "getting to know you" phasein our relationship. At that moment, it was only as friends. But by the plane ride home, it had become more than that. Michael did take me to PF Changs for our third or fourth date. On that date, he also asked me to be his girlfriend (It sounds very JR High when I type it). I wish to say that he asked me over our romantic dinner, but he claims he was too nervous. So, he waited. He waited until after dinner, after a stroll through the Indy canals, after the start of a movie at his house, and after I fell asleep. Mid-movie I stirred and the question came out. Since then, PF Changs has marked most significant points in our relationship. We go there for every anniversary and most birthdays. We went there for prom, we went there the night of our engagement, we went there after our wedding (I ate a total of three grapes at the reception and we were starving), we went there on our honeymoon, and I am sure we will continue to visit our sweet and sour chicken, kung pao chicken, and white rice for many years to come. Who knew from that first conversation five years ago that a tradition would be born.