Awkward Story Number ONE.

I am sitting at Pasha,

Supposedly working on some paper, when this old guy walks in and sits RIGHT across from me.

Like I am on a couch and five feet away there is another couch facing me. And he sits right there, not diagonal, not on the ten empty other seats in the room. But right across from me.

He has been there for the past ten minutes.

Every time I look up he is looking back at me.

Now maybe it is by chance.

But I kinda feel awkward that some one is sitting there staring at me and I cant really do anything about it.

Sometimes people are just plain weird.

But you know what, sometimes I am too.

So I guess Ill give the old guy a break and just pray he leaves soon.

Eleven (11) Things.

This is not a Thanksgiving day post.

(This really isn't about some American Holiday.)

Really its me remembering what God taught me last year.

Almost every night me and my roomie, Katie, would crawl into bed and each say eleven things we were thankful for from the day. It was a dark season for me and it allowed me to grow and change and notice the bits of Manna that God was giving me throughout my day.

It was so good for my heart.

NOTICE his faithfullness over you.

Notice his love

and his care for you!

Today God reminded me that THERE IS PEACE IN PRAISE.

and so I give thanks and praise for what he has done.

Because he is worthy

and because I need it.

1. Stacks of old books, read and learned from...

2. Starting a new Jane Austen book. new for me.

3. Noticing the change of seasons. Physical and heart seasons.

4. a journal without any lines or rules or expectations.

5. This House. Im really thankful for every nook and crany of this loved home.

6. Nearing the end.

7. "lol yahoo" I love my girl Deshel!

8. New things like striped shoes. (ooooOh sassy)

9. Big oversized sweater that make me feel comfy and warm.

10. Little twinsie nephews that giggle and smile:)

11. Cason saying "Go, car, Go" and him laughing at a bee buzzzzing in his ear.

LOVES and Learning.

I love fall.

The trees are dying but the colors come alive.

quiet little paradoxes.

They offer me life and healing.

I notice the leaves falling. Slowly.

I remember this one morning in North Carolina, waking up to my dad's excitment.

He was pulling me and my sisters outside into the chilly morning air.

We ran around in circles under the big oak trees.

Arms in the air, lifted high.

Reaching for the leaves.

Catching them as they fell.

Celebrating the little moments of beauty.

I love fall. and I love that memory.

Beautiful rain drops on my window.

Beautiful blurring of colors.

The cold air rushes in, overwhelming me, and bringing new seasons.

I love a lot.

and I love a lot of people.

and I even love a lot of things.

but even in that, im still learning how to love.

cause most days it is trial and error kinda method.

its hard.

but its worth it!

Especially for people like Deshel and Meme.

They grab my heart and don't let it go.

I love their hugs and squeals. their sass and tears.

I love knitting.

and reading.

journaling.

sitting.

listening.

dancing.

and laughing.

Deshel said, "This my friend Emily!" as if to tell her I was safe and to warn her not to give me a hard time. (This is love acted out not spoken.)

I am thankful for being received.

For learning new things.

and loving and being loved.

I LOVE Family.

Well... actually, I love MY whole big family.

My parents

and sisters

and brother-in-laws

and all my nephews:)

I LOVE EM' ALL!

I am so excited for Christmas to come,

I could just pee my pants!