The Joy of BOOKS!

Since I got the condo in order, I have had a lot of time for my hobbies: reading and painting. Unfortunately, I spend more time deciding what to paint, rather than actually painting. Needless to say, I have done more reading so far.

Mike’s mom and sister introduced me to Jodie Picolt at Christmas, when I began reading Harvesting the Heart. Good story. I have to admit, though, that it was not my favorite book. I like when authors open the characters up for your imagination, leaving you just enough space to jump into the story yourself. In that book, Picolt didn’t leave much room for my imagination, so I got pretty bored with the detail of the book. I can say that if you prefer a detailed story, Harvesting the Heart would probably be in your top five favorite books.

Most recently, I read Picolt’s House Rules. Her style of writing in this novel was much more in line with my preferences. I jumped right in to the story. It is truly a beautiful story of a whirlwind court case involving a family with a child who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Picolt unfolds this story in a way that allows readers to experience the joys and difficulties that Asperger’s can bring into a family. She allows the reader to view the situation from all points of view, giving you a well-rounded view of the Hunt family’s world. This story will engross you, touch your heart, and probably really frustrate you at times.

Disclaimer: I have not liked the end of either of these books. I make up my own ending in my imagination (which, perhaps, is what Picolt had in mind all along for her readers).

Home

A new condo…it can’t be home without decorations.

When I arrived in Levittown, the condo was just a bunch of rooms full of boxes. It did not look like home, and it certainly didn’t feel like one. That’s all a matter of perspective though. Now, all the things from those boxes are still in the rooms; they are just placed in better spaces aesthetically.

Meet my new home in Pennsylvania:

Of course, the most important room in the home of any southern belle is the kitchen. This is where I create all my new recipe projects. I love all the storage space and the dark countertops. 

We enjoy all those meals I create in this lovely little dining area. This picture still has some boxes in the back corner, but those are gone now too.

The living room, complete with Nana's beautiful tiger painting (a subtle touch of LSU in the main room). There is a small fireplace and a huge window that provides a ton of natural lighting. There is also a door on the near side of the fireplace that leads to a little balcony (where my LSU wind chime hangs).

Upstairs. The guest room/office. See everyone, there is space for visitors! This is also a great place to do all those important things that no one really enjoys....like bills. The door you see is to a second balcony.

The upstairs bathroom is great! It is definitely a great size, and the bathtub is super deep.

This is my brand new bedroom. As you can see, matching furniture has not been purchased yet...nor matching curatins. That will all come.

For now, everything is just right for getting me settled into a brand new place. Levittown, Pennsylvania. Home.

Change

It has been quite a long time since I have updated. I have thought about it a ton of times, but I can never pinpoint one joyful thing to blog about. There has been a lot of change in my life, and it has all brought a lot of joy and a lot of sadness. Luckily, God’s plan for my life is sovereign, so the joy reigns through in each situation.

Life after graduation meant King’s Camp for me. If you know me, then you know King’s Camp holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a home away from home. Going into camp this year, I knew it would be a refuge for me; it would be a rock in the ocean of change. I had no idea what God had in store for me.

Over the last year, King’s Camp lost two very important people: Molly Hartrick and Jeannie Harkleroad. I feared walking into a position of leadership in their absence, but I also believe so much in the mission they have for King’s Camp, and I love being a part of its implementation. By the grace of God, King’s Camp was just as wonderful this year as every other year. It was wonderful. That is especially important to me, because this was likely my last year to serve on staff at camp. I will always be involved as a supporter through prayer, as well as any other way that I am able. As I left, one thought of camp stuck with me. One of our speakers, Leslie Carraway, created a visual image that will stay with me forever. If you have been to camp, you know that the recreational grounds are about a half mile from the barn (where we hold church each night). Campers and counselors walk to church at night, as the sun is setting. You can often hear the worship band finishing up practice as you get closer. The sun is usually sinking into one of the most breathtaking sunsets you can imagine. Leslie offers that we are like a parade of praise for the Lord, with those who have gone before us leading the way. It is a picture of Heavenly chorus, and I can only imagine that is a lot like what Heaven will be like one day.

As a director of camp, I saw many new aspects of camp, along with seeing many old aspects from a new perspective. I learned a lot about being a real servant. Servant is more of a condition of the heart than an act of kindness. God calls us to love Him and love others as He has loved us. When the condition of our heart matches that commandment, the result is serving. We will serve Him as believers in the gospel. We will serve others out of love. I have never thought of the two words in the same sense, but “LOVE” and “SERVE” are really synonymous. If you love someone, you serve them. If you are serving someone, you probably love them (or you’re at least trying to learn to love them).

After camp I was able to spend some quality time with my family. Relationships are difficult, because we are all individual products of God’s love. We are all different. Family, though, is one of those relationships that stands through the trials. Even though they all knew that I would be moving, each person was very deliberate in love and kindness throughout that time. Of course, there were a ton of side comments that related to my staying in Louisiana, but overwhelmingly more often I was surrounded by love and support. Blessed.

I was also honored at a bridal shower before I left. Incredible. Being surrounded by so many people who support my future marriage (and receiving abounding gifts from them) was such a beautiful, humbling experience. I realize now, how much the relationships I have made with family and friends in Louisiana mean to me. They have made me who I am, and I am very blessed to have them all.

The move…there will be more on this later…with pictures of the new condo!