If you can't take the heat...

...stay out of the office!

I got to work today to find out that the air conditioning unit was frozen. Oh, and that beautiful autumn weather we were having? It vanished, strangely, with the actual onset of autumn. So it was hot. I mean 90 degrees in the shade of the supply closet hot. And since I'm not used to working in that kind of heat (for I am a delicate flower), I was not my usual Monday morning kind of perky. Add in the fact that I didn't get my Starbucks (which I was so looking forward too, thanks to a gift card from last Christmas that resurfaced this weekend), I had no caffeine to give me aid in my time of need. What a way to start the work week.

Me and my co-workers started out looking on the bright side of things. Very "In everything give thanks"-ish:

"It could be worse. Thank God it's not August and 110 outside"

"Hey, at least the air conditioner isn't permanently broken. Tommorrow should be better"

"Good thing we have all these fans...blowing hot air round and round..."

Yeah. We were a regular band of Pollyanna's. Somewhere around 3:00, grunts and sighs were more the norm. At least from me. I know I was a sight. I had my hair pulled up off my neck in a disheveled bun, my pants scrunched up to my knees (it's really quite a fashionable look) and a rather unpleasant frown on my face. And my attitude was even worse. I might have been a little short with a few of our vendors on the phone. And perhaps I wasn't jumping up to help a co-worker find a missing receipt. And if I could have found Pollyanna, I would have thrown her sunshiney self under the bus for a working A/C.

Here's the funny thing. This morning before I went into work, I was thinking a lot about love. That all-important, God commanded, all you need is Love, love. I was thinking about how much more I want to love God and, in addition, love the people around me. That if I loved him more, it would completely transform my life and the lives of those around me. Literally my prayer five feet before I opened the door into my workplace a.k.a. furnace was that I would be able to love the people in my life today. No matter what I had to face. Those were my exact words. What you don't know ahead of time...

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't frustrating. The whole one step forward, two steps back that we often take in this walk of faith. Just when I think I'm doing well, all it takes some crazy little change in my circumstances to sidetrack me. I wonder if I'm ever gonna get past the petty things and move on to true maturity.

This is the verse that comes to mind after a day like today. "He who began a good work in you will carry it unto completion until the day of Christ Jesus." And here is another one: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." It's a relief to know God doesn't get sidetracked. That circumstances don't sway him like they do me. That He has a grace that is all-sufficient and a plan that is purposed to succeed. Hallelujah!

So tommorrow I think I'll be praying for love. And that the A/C works.

The beauty of a boring weekend

I had the most boring weekend and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not one of those people that can't sit still, or always has to be doing something. I enjoy hanging out at home, I enjoy relaxing. I don't want to brag or anything, but I'm actually pretty good at it.

Saturday I slept in, which was nice. I don't know why, but for some reason I am not sleeping well at night. I've sort of battled insomnia ever since I was a teenager and it is back with a vengeance. I'm up late, I toss and turn, I wake up during the night. I hate it. But I did sleep past 9, which was a treat. I watched a little Food network (Paula Deen and Down Home With the Neely's). Now I know why schnitzel with noodles is one of Maria's favorite things. It's basically the German version of chicken fried steak with veal. Sounds good to me. Except maybe the veal part. But the "fried" part-- that gets me every time.

I spent time on the phone off and on Saturday and Sunday with my sister, Jenna. She lives in Austin and this weekend was Austin City Limits, which, you may not know, is kind of a big deal. She got to see David Byrne (who was uninteresting until he broke out some Crowded House tunes), Allison Krauss and Robert Plant (and I was so jealous), Band of Horses (her now new favorite band) and Blues Traveler (Run around and Hook are two of my favorites from high school/college days, yay 90's) among many many others. She is also pretty sure she saw Judd Nelson. I wonder why she didn't seranade him, "Don't you forget about me. Don't don't don't don't" or at the very least ask him how Anthony Michael Hall is doing since his USA show got cancelled. Oh well.

I took my mom shopping so my dad could enjoy watching football in a estrogen free house. We hit the mall and by the looks of it you would think we weren't in any kind of national financial crisis, for it was quite the happening place. Mom found a couple of cute autumny (is that a word?) decorations and some fabric to recover a chair. I bought a pickle and a coke icee, because I am a woman of discriminating tastes. Yes indeed.

Later on that evening I watched the movie, Once. I loved the music, the scene where they are singing Falling Slowly was amazing. And the ending was truly bittersweet.

Yesterday I went to church and my pastor preached an excellent message on how to live in hard times. A very timely word indeed. What I took from it was that we really need to know our God. His main verse was Daniel 11:32b "Thos who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits". That's right along the lines of what I have been reading and pondering on in my devotional times. I guess I need to really pay attention to this, huh? I'm trying, Lord.

Things are moving right along with the christmas program. My friend Rachel has such a great vision for it, and I am amazed getting to watch her flow in her gifts and anointing. I'm also thankful that it isn't me up there trying to lead. Last year I sang 2nd soprano and this year I am stepping out in faith and singing soprano. One song in particular gets oh so high... like a kite...tied to a skate.

I watched Amazing Race and so far no one team stands out for me. But I love seeing all the different places they travel to, and of course, being a Sociology/Psychology major, I love the interaction between the partners.

So how was your weekend? As amazing as mine?

Hey Jealousy

I have never really had much of a poker face. So obviously I won't be headed to the casinos any time soon, but really I think my problem concealing my true feelings could get me into more trouble in places other than Vegas. I have been betrayed by my face more times than I can count. Frustration, resentment, hurt, surprise, amusement? If I feel it, you will most likely be able to tell. It's like my face is saying, "Just keepin' it real, dawg" (apparently my face speaks Randy Jackson). Sometimes it's a good thing (you can always tell when I am EXCITED! REALLY! EXCITED!), other times not so much (you can always tell when I am mad, really, really mad).

The funniest examples of this are forever etched in our family history, via Kodak. My dad was the family photographer and he took this role very seriously. Every holiday and birthday are commemorated with almost every detail in place. I am thankful for this, most of the time. When I was going through these pictures of yesteryear I noticed a startling pattern. There were all these pictures at my sister's birthday, with her opening awesome presents like Barbies and Rainbow Brites. Now my sister is pretty expressive herself. You could see her delight in each one. I, too was in these shots. And I am not happy. And my face cannot mask it one bit. If there was just one photo I might not care. But there are a lot. A LOT. Exhibit A, folks:

That's me on the left. And you want to know the craziest part? That very day my mom let me open my own gift. On my sister's birthday! She did that every year us. When it was Jenna's birthday, I got a gift, most often identical to one she would open later on. On my birthday it was the same for her. I know, we were spoiled. It was supposed to work. Obviously it did not. I remember this particular birthday party for two reasons. One it was like 125 degrees in the shade. Second my sister got this amazing doll(not the Barbie from the pic) from one of her friends. I was unbelievably jealous. I do not need a photo to remember that. So sad.

Here's a little more, because this is starting to feel a little like therapy. And it's working.

There I am on the right. You would think I was, to borrow a phrase from my mom, a red-headed stepchild (what in the world does being redheaded have to do with anything anyways, mom? oh well). That's my great grandmother receiving a kiss from my sister for a new dress on yet another birthday. Could I be any more obvious? I don't think it get's any more pathetic than that.

Okay, maybe it does. I'm an adult now. And like a lot of adults I can get envious of others' gifts, talents, and abilities. I forget that every good and perfect gift comes from the father. God chooses who to bless with this gift and who to bless with another. How ridiculous it is to get jealous of someone because of what God has given them, but we do it all the time. And we end up looking more ridiculous than a 6 year old fretting over her sister's new birthday dolls when she has plenty of her own. "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Proverbs 14:30). Like my heart on my sleeve expressions, you can't hide something that is rotting. Envy stinks and eventually comes to the surface, poker face or not. But we can choose better.

1. We can choose to love (Love does not envy... 1 Corinthians 13:4)

2. We can choose to happy for them (Rejoice with those who rejoice... Romans 12:15)

3. We can choose to be thankful for what we have (Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus...1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I am truly humbled when I take my eyes off of what everyone else has and take honest stock of all that God has blessed me with in this life. He has done so many great things for me, given me so many wonderful gifts. This Christmas or on the next birthday, when dad gets out the camera (where did that camera go to?) I hope the images are somewhat different. I hope I can be seen rejoicing over someone else, delighting with them in the gifts they receive. Either way, my face won't lie.

In God We Trust

I never really expected to live in times as uncertain as these. Blame it on my comfortable middle class lifestyle. I remember studying the Great Depression in my WWI-WWII era History class in college and how unbelievably horrible things got for this nation. I remember listening to my brilliant-beyond-my-capacity-to-comprehend professor lecture on all the issues leading up to the Depression and how there were many things in place today to guarantee it could never happen again. Now I hear presidential candidates and news media telling me it's the worst we've been since then. I know we aren't as bad. But. Really? How did this happen? I just can't grasp it. And I would be lying if I told you it doesn't frighten me a bit.



On the way to work yesterday, my mom and I talked about it a little. Banks failing, mortgage companies going under, people walking away from their homes, unable to pay for them; it's scary. I work in a place that is too dispensable in shaky financial times. People aren't really concerned about buying $300 purses or cute christmas decor or a new set of china when they can't even afford to make their house payment, or worse, have been laid off because the business they worked for has gone bankrupt. I never really thought like that until today, but I let myself go there. And it wasn't a pretty place.






People are panicking. I blame the news media, but I know that it's really more than that. Times like these are mirrors reflecting our hearts. We begin to realize what we value most and what we fear the most. Let me be the first to say, I don't like what I see in my reflection. My values aren't unlike the rest of the world. I value comfort, stability, protection. I value things. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Did you hear that rushing sound? That was the sound of one convicted comfortable middle class christian woman shaking her head in shame. Thank God for mercy.





When we see what's happening on Wall Street and with huge companies like WaMu, how do we react? I'm instantly reminded of the Psalm that tells us "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God". Do we, no, do I, trust in God? Or do I hope in government bailouts and a new president? Do I trust him with my finances? With the finances of this entire country? Do I trust him to provide if my job is gone tomorrow? If I can't pay for my credit cards and student loans and netflix monthly subscription and gas for my car(or if I have to let the gas tank stay empty a while or the movies stop coming to my house)? "Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." Do I really believe those words?





I have to go back to God's goodness. Again. "O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him." It's pretty simple to reason here that if I see him as good, I can trust him. Notice it says "Taste and see". What an invitation, to try out his goodness for ourselves. It's like the Psalmist is saying, "Don't take my word for it. Try out His goodness for yourself. You'll see."

So here are some words for meditation. I hope they can help you like I'm counting on them to help me:

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track"

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken"




"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living"





I can't think of a better time than now to take God up on the offer. Taste and see!

What's in a Name?

I'm kind of a name snob, and I make no apologies about it. I can turn my nose up at lots of names for lots of reasons like kre8tive spellings, trendiness, and downright absurdity (hello, Pilot Inspektor?). I can also discriminate against names based on persons I know with that particular name. Surely I'm not the only person who does this. Some names are absolutely ruined because of mean (or weird, or wild, or preppy, or whatever) kids in elementary school. And do you really want to be named Katrina or Ike after such devastating hurricanes?

I think one of the reasons I'm so picky about names goes back to when I was a kid. Until I was 9 years old I had never met another Kara. And I liked that. It made me feel unique. Then we changed elementary schools and not only was there another Kara (with a K) one grade above me, but we also shared the same last name. Since I had transferred from a Christian school where we learned at our own pace I was actually placed in a couple of Kara's classes. Guess what brilliant idea my teacher came up with to distinguish her two Kara with a K's? Call us by our middle names? No. Use our middle initials? Of course not. She thought it would be best that I was called Kara Number 2. I think it goes without saying that having your name attached to poo when your the new girl in school is not a good thing.

Kara number 1 and I were in school together for the next 8 years. We never ran in the same circles or had any classes together, but nonetheless mix ups still happened. I got lots of phone calls looking for the other Kara, and I would be in conversations with random guy from last weekends party for several minutes before I finally fessed up that they weren't talking to the right Kara. It was hard to field those calls because said caller would always ask "Is this Kara _______?" and of course, being that I am that person I always said yes. What else could I do?

Not too long ago a co-worker of mine (who apparently has way too much time on her hands) was telling me that she did a search online for my name in public records. She wanted to inform me that I had been married three times. Hmm. Where are the toasters, blenders and crystal candy dishes, because I don't remember getting any gifts? Maybe they sent them to Kara number 1.

Our names are such a big part of our identity, and we really don't like it when someone else horns in on it. We like to feel unique, even if we are one in a throng of millions. Because I am just that obsessed I looked up the popularity for the name Kara in 1977. We were ranked 120, with a guesstimated 2416 of us. Compared to my sister, who in 1978 had the number 1 name for a girl, with 56, 289 girls sharing her name, my 2400 or so is small potatoes. Try telling that to the fourth grader with number 2 added to her name.

This is why I loved finding out about this verse in Revelation. " He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." I can almost guarantee there won't be any references to poo in my new name in heaven. Take that, Kara number 1.

I really have no witty title for this post

I am still enjoying the wonders of Genius on my iTunes. It is truly delightful. Here is just a snippet of what they put together for me (for me! just for me!). I love Watermark. Love them. Christy Nockels is simply amazing. So I plugged in one of my favorites from them: A Grateful People/Bless the Lord. They paired this wonderful song with Sara Groves' He's Always Been Faithful , David Crowder Band's Come and Listen, Jill Phillips' I Am, Christy Nockels version of the Hillsong song None But Jesus (oh how I love that song), Derek Webb's Beloved, Bethany Dillon's You are On Our Side and The Kingdom (which are my personal faves from her), Charlie Hall's Micah 6:8 and Come For Me, and Nichole Nordeman's You are Good (which may or may not be from a album made up of lullabies, of which I own but do not have a baby). Now that's a good playlist, no? And there are dozens more, but I won't bore you with them now. Not even the playlist for ABBA's Take A Chance on Me, pairing the fabulous ABBA with Bay City Roller's Saturday Night and Blondie's The Tide is High. Nope I won't do it. But let me assure you, it is quite a tasty treat.

I have not finished reading it yet but I cannot recommend the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan enough. What a wonderful, thought-provoking book. What he has to say about God is something I needed to be reminded of and maybe you do too.

I am so ready for The Office to come back. Hurry up, Thursday!

Oh, and there is this new show on CBS called The Mentalist. I did not watch it last night, but from what I understand the premise is about a guy with such keen observational powers that he at one time fooled people into thinking he was a psychic, but now he works in some form of law enforcement. Hmm, where have I heard of a show like that before? Oh yes, I know. It's called Psych. And it is stinkin' hilarious. I'm pretty sure The Mentalist has no such awesome pairing as Shawn and Gus. Just sayin'.

And I know that hundreds of people will probably sign up over at Boo mama's for the chance to win Matt Wertz's new cd. But I am a poor (and cheap) woman who really really wants one. So while I love everybody and all, I am praying that I am one of the lucky ones. Because I cannot wait to use Genius on some of those fabulous Matt Wertz tunes.

The S word

I've been thinking about sin lately. It's not a subject I'm fond of, let me assure you. I don't like talking about it. I hear about it a lot, in sermons, in devotionals, even on the news. We (meaning me) like to talk about other people's sin, shaking our heads in disbelief, sighing heavily over the moral decay of our society. But that's not the sin I've been pondering. I'm talking about my sin. I think I once heard Beth Moore describe them as "cherished sins". The kind you let in to the back door of your heart and mind when you think no one else is looking. And we give them special treatment, like an undercover VIP in your soul. I've given them little pet names that don't sound as harsh as the s word, like shortcomings, faults, weaknesses, idiosyncrasies. I don't like to name them. Selfishness. Pride. Gluttony. Laziness. Fear of man. Anger. Jealousy. Greed. Thinking I know better than God does on matters such as spending money, time management, and my destiny. Those are ugly words. And they have taken up residence in me.

How did I let this happen? How did I let selfishness and laziness get VIP status in my heart?How did I let them get any kind of control over my values? Because, and I don't want to mislead anyone here, they do have a say in what I value. I value me time. I value sitting in front of the tv. I value doing what I want to do, when I want to do it, how I want to do it. I'm not saying that tv is synonymous with sin or having me time means your automatically selfish. It's how much I value these above the more important things that is sin. I don't know why I never confronted this in my heart before.

Have you ever wept over sin? I mean really let your heart grieve over the sin in your life. I did this morning. I've been reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. That coupled with reading Isaiah in the mornings, plus what God has been doing in my heart lately brought me to tears. Tears of repentance. I was reading a chapter where Chan shares about the lives of some pretty amazing believers. He was sharing how they lived their lives to the fullest for Jesus. I was stunned at the stark contrast of that kind of living versus my own. What keeps me from living like they did? And that's when it hit me. SIN. Wretched, horrible, life stealing sin. The very thing that separates me from God and the very thing Jesus, holy and perfect, died a horrible death to save me from. Sin that I've given too much of my heart over to for much too long.

And it stops now. No more cherished sins. It's time to call it like He sees it. SIN.

"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) HALLELUJAH! And I like it in this version even better " 8-10If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. " (The Message)

I know I'll sin again. Probably before this day is through. But I don't have to keep it in my heart. I have a choice. I choose to confess. I choose to cherish Christ, not sin. God help me. And I know He will.

God, Romans and my pea sized brain

Here's the passage of scripture that is hanging out in my soul today. I read it in a couple of different versions (Don't you love to do that? Thank you, biblegateway.com), but I've really been struck by the Message translation of Romans 11:33-36

"Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant
generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never
figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart
enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that
God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Good stuff, right? These words are literally overpowering my brain. I think that's what they are supposed to do. I keep chewing on lines like "Is there anyone around who can explain God?" and "Everything ends up in Him", almost like I'm polishing a piece of silver, rubbing them back and forth slowly in my heart and mind, discovering new luster in these ancient truths. What is coming out is brilliant and beyond my natural comprehension.

I've been thinking about some of God's attributes. His sovereignty. His power. His, for lack of a better word, hugeness (because giganticness would just be really silly). I don't know if it's just me or not but I have had a problem reconciling God's sovereignty with His goodness. It's the age old argument that starts something like, "How could a loving God let this or that happen." You know the one. It's as if I've decided He can have one characteristic but not the other, that somehow they are mutually exclusive. What I think I am guilty of is putting God's character, His strengths or personality if you will, in the same box as man's character and personality. Let me explain. I don't want to make any blanket statements here, but for the sake of argument let's pretend this is usually true. Often the people who are strong, tough, powerful people are the ones a little lacking in the compassion and mercy department. Or the creative person may be quite scatter-brained and the control-freak doesn't know how to breathe easy. Of course, that is why man is not God and God is not man. One man might let every person off the hook, guilty or not, never dealing with sin. Another would send even the most innocent of children straight to the flames of hell just because they didn't match every point on a list of do's and don'ts. (Just typing those words gives me pause. Hallelujah, what a Savior!)

I've done this same kind of evaluating of God's personality. Wrong, I know. And everything I've been reading, all the devotionals that I've seen, the scriptures from sermons, even a conversation with a friend from work today, have been trying to punch holes in my obviously wrong theology about God. I'm not ignorant. Well, maybe a little. I know God is bigger than man. I just can't make my head really grasp all that God is. All that He entails. That he is both sovereign and merciful. Which brings me back to this morning's passage in Romans. I'm not supposed to be able to grasp all that God is. It's impossible. As the Message puts it, "It's way over our heads".

God, simply because He is, is altogether good, righteous, powerful, sovereign, merciful, compassionate, just, jealous, and generous. He is love. He is grace. He is mighty. He is a warrior, a shepherd, a savior, a judge, a healer. He is merciful in His sovereignty. His lovingkindness is there in His judgments. And I will never fully "get" Him. I will never fully figure him out. Maybe that is what is so hard.

And that is where simple faith is necessary. I was reading a testimony of a woman who was raised Catholic and as an adult became an Athiest. After 30 years believing there was no God she came back to faith, back to God. This woman was unbelievably intelligent, deep, thoughtful and literary. If someone was capable of overthinking salvation, faith and God, it would be her. But she was able to come to such a pure place of faith and trust in the Savior. Simply put, she came to surrender. A surrendering of that part of herself always trying to figure everything out. Trying to figure God out. It's so basic really. I don't want to muddle her words, so I won't but the gist of it was this: God knows it all and God is good. He's BOTH. The sovereignty is tainted with his mercy and God's mercy never forgets justice.

That is what I want to remind myself in every situation, in every ordeal, in every morning, workday and evening. God knows it all and God is good.

Saturday in the mall, I think it was the 20th of September

I live in a small town. Too small for a Panera Bread, or a big fancy christian bookstore, or a Clinique counter. Fortunately for me, I can travel about an hour north or south and find such luxuries. As I mentioned yesterday, it is Clinique bonus time at Dillards. I love me a gift with purchase. So mom and I decided today was the day we would make the trip. She too loves bonus time.

All in all it was a perfect day. We ate at Panera Bread, which is one of my favorites for breakfast and lunch. I had the baked potato soup with their harvest salad. 10 years ago you couldn't have paid me to eat salad, much less one with field greens, balsamic dressing and "stinky" cheese. And to mix a lovely fruit like pears in a salad,that would be absurd! Oh, but the taste buds have changed now and this salad was amazing. Loved it.

Because Oklahoma is still having wonderful weather we sat outside and with the exception of the occasional fly it was a lovely lunch. I chatted on the phone a little bit with my sister about Donald Miller's blog. A blog that I did not realize until last week existed, but apparently my sister has long known of it. She is kind of a Donald Miller fanatic. Perhaps fanatic is not the right word. Oh well. Last weekend was her 30th birthday and this weekend her friends are celebrating it with her. We discussed whether or not surprises were fun. She insists they are, I think they make my control-freak self break out into hives. This is usually the case with us. At the end of the phone conversation neither one of us was persuaded of the other's strongly held position. I hope her surprise tonight is fun. Oh, and may I publicly announce a VERY BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, JENNA!!! (For those of you who are now concerned that in the last week the thought never occurred to me to wish my sister happy birthday, let me tell you that I did, but a certain somebody who has read these posts wonders why I had failed to mention it here in the ol' blog. I won't tell you who that somebody is but her name rhymes with Lenna).

After lunch, mom and I headed straight for Dillards and the beloved bonus time event. Clinique did not disappoint! This year we received not one, but two lipsticks, and this time the colors are both gorgeous. Chianti and Raspberry Glace'. I love them already and will put them into my regular lipstick/lipgloss rotation. Because I may or may not have about 7 or 25 shades that I use on a semi-regular basis. Don't judge me. Also included in the bonus was a small blush, a small mascara, eye makeup remover and I think moisturizer. I bought boring stuff like powder and eyeliner in order to get the bonus.

Then came the Clinque supersaleswoman. My mom loves her. I, however, do not. She has been her go-to gal for years. When we first started going to Clinique she did a little mini-makeover on me. Now I've watched What not to Wear for years and I think Carmindy can be a little too much at times but, at least to me, she always has a way of focusing on the person's strong points and making them feel good about themselves. Clinique counter lady did not get trained at the same place that Carmindy did. In one makeover she managed to let me know I was too pale, my lips were too thin, my eyes were too small and my eyelids? Apparently they are not normal. SERIOUSLY? Seriously. So as you can imagine I stay clear of her. But she got me this time. I don't know how but thanks to her I ended up buying these. It kind of reminded me of that scene in the movie Truth About Cats and Dogs where Janeane Garafolo's character gets "attacked" by a makeup counter woman who starts into some rant about free radicals and poor Janeane's large pored skin. Next thing she knows she has on a face full of clown makeup. That's how it was for me today. Sometimes I am such a sucker for the shiny things.

Okay, this post is getting a little long, so let me get on with it. After the Clinique counter, we decided to go to the movies, and we saw this. Maybe it was all the talk yesterday about a certain co-workers crush on the lead in this movie, but I thought I might like it. It was pretty good. Kristen Wiig (of SNL fame) was stinkin' hilarious. So was Ricky Gervais. I know it was about ghosts and all, and pretty much went against what I personally believe, but it was entertaining. And it was fiction. And I may or may not have cried at one point. But whatever.

After the movie we did a little more shopping, I bought a couple of cute tops and an awesome pair of jeans, and mom found her a couple of pairs of jeans as well. She and I always share a dressing room and I wonder if some of our conversations crack up our neighbors as we are trying on our clothes. Maybe I should ask sometime. You know, be a little neighborly.

Finally, we went to Mardels where I bought a little pocketbook bible to fit in my purse. I also
picked up Anne Rice's book Christ The Lord Out of Egypt. I really don't know much about it, but I've been curious and it was a good deal so I decided to give it a chance. Then another book caught my eye, sitting next to the Shack. It's called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. I read a little bit of it while I was there and decided to buy it too. I'll let you know what I think of my two "take a chance on me" books.

Yummy food. Lovely makeup. Cute new clothes. Funny movie. Good books (I hope). Great company. Wonderful Saturday.

Friday Randomness

I have a co-worker who is absolutely precious. I'd call her boycrazy, but she is 60 years old, and boy crazy is probably not the best word description for a woman over, say, 19 years old. Since I've known her I've heard her announce, on various occasions, how handsome or cute she thinks the following men are: Pierce Brosnan, Julio and Enrique Iglesias, Jorge Garcia (Hurley from LOST), my father, a co-workers husband, and Ricky Gervais. That's right Ricky Gervais. We were talking today about his new movie, Ghost Town, and she mentioned she thought the "little man with the round face" from that movie sure is cute. She is a woman of varied tastes my friends.

My place of employment is staffed with only women. There are pros and cons to spending your 9-to-5 days with the fairer sex, but I truly enjoy it for the most part. I've learned a lot about marriage, parenthood, and friendship working here over the last 9 years. But I think the funniest thing about working with all women is how we handle food. I would say at any given time 2/3rds of the dozen women who work here are on a diet. That's probably standard for any group of women I'm sure. But here's the other thing. There is always very un-diet like food here, pretty much everyday. And even though I hear a lot of "No thanks, I'm dieting" and "Oh my, all that sugar, I couldn't possibly...." without fail the food is always gone within a day or two. Espsecially if that food is Ina's sour cream coconut cake. Or cheetos.

Tonight I am going with some of the above mentioned co-workers and my mom (who just happens to also be one of my above-mentioned co-workers) to a play. It is the musical version of Robert Fulghum's "All I Really Needed To Know I Learned In Kindergarten". I read that book in Jr. High. Right now I'm wondering how well it's going to transfer onto the musical stage.

I get to go shopping tomorrow. It's Clinque bonus time at Dillards and I cannot wait. I never miss one. Never. I thought that little bit of info was blogworthy, but now that I've typed it out, it doesn't seem like it. Hmm.

Lastly, would it be okay if the words "Get'R Done" were never ever again spoken. Because they Get. On. My. Ever. Lovin'. Nerves.

Seeing Him in Everything

That is a recurring theme for me this week. See Him everywhere in everything. He is there, you know. In every beauty of nature, in each person we interact with each day, even in all the mundane chores and have-to's. But do I see Him there?

It's easy for me to look at a dazzling sunset or sit outside in this remarkably unseasonable weather we've been having and see God. It's harder to see Him in a pile of papers on my desk that need tending to. Or a friend who is hurting but won't accept help. But I know He's there, just the same, and if I look hard enough, perhaps I'll see Him displayed with as much of His truth revealing glory as the beauty of his nature. Okay, maybe not in the pile of papers. But maybe what I'm to do with the pile of papers that causes me to see Him (see Colossians 3:23-24).

I read from Psalm 105 this morning and I really like what it had to say, particularly verse 4. In the Message it went like this, "Keep your eyes open for God, watch for His works, be alert for signs of His presence." I also like the amplified version, "Seek, inquire of and for the Lord, and crave Him and His strength (His might and inflexibility to temptation); seek and require His face and His presence [continually] evermore."

I love the notion of craving God. Of being alert for signs of His presence. I know from His word that He never leaves me or forsakes me, but I want to be alert to His presence around me. The word alert just conjures up such a mental image for me. Like all my senses are heightened and ready, certain that something is about to happen. That HE is happening all around me. I don't want to miss it.
So here's my prayer for today: God let me crave You. Help me keep my eyes open for You. Heighten my sensitivity, with all my senses alert, to Your presence. And when I see You, let me respond.

To the beautiful sunset, to the hurting friend. Even to a pile of papers.

kara with a k's infinite autumn playlist

I love playlists.

Ever since I got my iPod 2 years ago I've been obsessed with them. I can go nuts over any kind of list, but the playlist? It's the perfect blend of two of my favorite things: music and my obsessive compulsive need to make all things prioritzed and compartmentalized in an orderly fashion. I get all flushed and happy just thinking about it. iTunes apparently has a window into my psyche because they also have celebrity playlists as well. I love looking at these because I really need to know just what America Ferrera or Derek Webb or the cast of the Office is listening to now. How else am I gonna know that Chris Tomlin is a fan of Alabama or that Tori Spelling's theme song is Pretty in Pink? Information is power.

Just a week or so ago iTunes came out with version 8 and a little something called genius which makes playlists for you based on a song from your playlists. Believe me when I tell you I can spend hours making these up. Some are spot on (Watermark's A Grateful People with Vicky Beeching's Join the Song and David Crowder Band's To the Only God), and some make me scratch me head (Joe Purdy doesn't really go with some of the country songs they were putting with it), but overall it's truly fun and maybe a little scary too.

Now don't get me wrong because my little control freak self is not going to let a computer program figure out all my playlists. I cherish the playlist. So I still make them, compulsively. Expect nothing less. I don't know about you but songs and sometimes whole albums or artists feel like a certain season to me. For instance, Brooke Fraser? Totally makes me think of winter- think hot cocoa and a warm blanket with snow falling outside. Or Switchfoot- they are summer all the way. Caedmon's call's 40 acres album is pure spring to me and even though Coldplay's Viva La Vida came out in June of this year, I feel the chill of winter when I listen to the songs.

So in honor of the upcoming autumn season (just a few more days until the official start of fall, ya'll), I decided to post a portion (not the whole 88 songs, that would just be crazy) of my "Seasons of autumn" playlist. Before you ask, yes, I do have Seasons of summer, winter and spring playlists too. I'll get to those when those respective seasons come around, and if anyone is still around to read this blog.

Here it is:
1) Kara- Andrew Osenga For one big obvious reason. It's my name! But, the song is pretty awesome too. I love love love Andrew Osenga's writing style. His paints the best word pictures ever. If You listen you can literally feel the late autumn chill. Perfect!
2)I Think It's Gonna Rain Today- Norah Jones Beaches was one of my favorite movies growing up. I loved Bette Midler's version on the soundtrack, but Norah Jones' version is divine. Her voice is like wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket.
3) The Puppy Song- Harry Nilsson Mostly because this song is on You've Got Mail, which starts out in the Autumn in New York, and I love that movie
4) Lightning Crashes- Live This one is from my high school days and even though it's a little dated, the chorus gets me every time. LOVE. IT.
5) Where Do We Go From Here?- Mat Kearney A lot of Mat's music makes me think of autumn, think drizzly cloudy days and a cute scarf around your neck kind of music. But this one is probably one of my favorite autumn feeling songs from him
6) Gratitude- Nichole Nordeman I love me some Nichole Nordeman. Her voice and her lyrics are absolutely beautiful. This one makes me think of Thanksgiving, which as we all know, is in the fall.
7) Show You Love- Jars of Clay Jars of Clay make me think of fall a lot. And I love that. This is from Who We Are Instead which is one of my favorite albums from them. Everybody loves them for Flood but I really dig what they've put out in the last five years.
8) Seasons- Steven Delopoulos He is the former lead singer of one of my favorite short lived bands- Burlap to Cashmere. He is folk acoustic singer songwriter at it's best. Me Died Blue is probably one of my favorite albums of all time.
9) A Beautiful Collision- David Crowder Band Here is another song in which the whole album feels kind of autumnal. I love David Crowder Band and this is my favorite album from them. So. good.
10) Come to Jesus- Mindy Smith This song gives me chills. It is straight out of October, I kid you not. So hauntingly beautiful.

There it is. I think it is perfect. Enjoy.

What September is supposed to be like

Today is an insanely delicious day in my corner of Oklahoma. Don't you love those perfect sunny days that come after a storm? After receiving a little bit of the remnants of Ike on Saturday and a cool front that moved through Saturday evening, we are being blessed with truly perfect weather this week. The sky is a splendid shade of blue, there is a light breeze and it's 70 something degrees! I am certain, certain this is how it feels in heaven. Absolutely gorgeous.
I was reading Psalm 104 out of the Message that so complemented a day like today:

" What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations...... Send out your Spirit and they spring to life— the whole countryside in bloom and blossom. The glory of God—let it last forever! Let God enjoy his creation! "

I join in the song, God "The glory of God-let it last forever! Let God enjoy his creation!"-- I know that I do! I don't ever want to lose a sense of wonder toward all that he is made, especially on a late summer day like this one.

In the next breath, however, I want to remember all those who were in the path of Hurricane Ike. My prayer is that God will repair, rebuild and restore. May God bless you all! He is good!

Just call me Siskel or Ebert or whatever

I went with my mom today to see this movie. We both really enjoyed it. I've always enjoyed Tyler Perry movies so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard were remarkable. I thought their friendship was completely believable and made me laugh, cry and think. The rest of the cast was amazing too, especially Cole Hauser, who played Kathy Bates' son, William Cartwright. He played the part of an evil self-centered pig perfectly.
Of course this movie didn't have any of the silliness a lot of the other Tyler Perry movies have (like Madea's Family Reunion), but there are some lighthearted moments in an otherwise heavy film, particularly on Charlotte and Alice's road trip. Go see it, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you....get the point. I give it two thumbs up!

Responding

We started practicing for this year's christmas program at church this afternoon. I can't believe it's already that time of year again. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas music. But it's September. It's still warm outside and my flowerbeds are still blooming, ya know? Anyways. Rachel, my best friend and the program director, has a great talent for finding a the right program that combines traditional christmas music (think God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Come All Ye Faithful) with worship songs like Hear Us From Heaven and the Paul Baloche song Offering. I think the blend is perfect.

Rachel talked about worship before we started tonight and what she said really inspired me. She was quoting the writer of the musical who said worship in essence is a response, a response to God. I thought about how I respond to God, to his providence, to his gifts, to his presence. He shows up everyday, with every sunrise, with every person I come across. He's there every church service and every workday and every day off. He's in every breath I take, in the stars in the sky and the colors painted across my flowerbeds. I fail miserably when it comes to responding reverently-- in awe of Him.

I get caught up in thinking that worship is more about songs I sing, words I say, the lyric, the hands raised, the tune. Worship is breathing deeply, eyes opened to wonder. Worship is the hush and the breathlessness that comes over me when I see a gorgeous sunset or the ocean or snow falling. Worship is wide-eyed wonder at his marvelous creation, humility and gratitude for the loved ones he's put in my life and obedience to his timely word. It is, as the catechism says, "to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever". Amen! Let me worship!

Great Day

Here are the ingredients for a Kara with a K great day off from work
1) sleeping in
2) going to the salon, getting a great new haircut and color
3) lunch at one of my favorite places with one of my favorite people
4) baking an awesome-not-quite-from-scratch carrot cake
5) talking on the phone with Rachel's 2 year old daughter and my new bff, Addie (precious!)
5) staying at home (gasp!) on a Friday night to watch Psych (Shawn and Gus!) and Monk!

Can I do it all again tomorrow?

Testing, testing 1, 2....

Wow. Here I am.
So, I finally decided to do this. I have been reading several blogs for a couple of years now, thinking, hey, I could do that. For whatever reason I kept telling myself once I'm married, or have a different job, or move to a different town, you know, grown up type things, then I would have a blog worthy life. Pathetic, I know.
I can't really say for sure what changed my mind, but a lot of it had to do with facebook. I've run across a lot friends from college and one in particular really made me think about getting into this writing thing again. So. Sans husband, grown up job, or fancy new town, here I am. And hopefully better stuff is going to come out of this blog than this measly little post. Yay!