Tag, I'm it.

Well, it has happened. I have been tagged. Here you go Sunny! This is for you! :)

1. One book that changed your life:
flashBANG by Mark Steele. I read this book over Christmas, and I have made reference to its content on many occasions. It helped me see the difference between making an actual impact and just being a lot of noise and lights... a flashbang if you will. I am aware of "the show" of things, and I am better equipped to actually be an influence. I'd say that's life changing.


2. One book that you've read more than once:
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. I attempted to read it my freshman year at Faulkner, but for some reason I couldn't really get into it. That summer I buckled down and read it. I loved it. Underlines everywhere... It was incredibly eye opening. I better understood ways that Satan was attacking me, thus making me aware of some specific sins. Since then I have been able to work (not perfected) on those things... pride for example. I read it again last year and wrote a paper on it, and it is on the required reading list for one of my classes this semester. Good book.

3. One book you'd want on a desert island:
I am with Sunny on this one... The Bible. Maybe I need to be deserted on a desert island with it for a while. That is one of my goals for this semester. I have got to get The Word in me... probably the biggest thing missing in my spiritual life. (Hold me accountable)

4. One book that made you laugh:
The Word on the Street by Rob Lacey. This is an interesting paraphrase of the Bible. Why is it funny? It is pretty much the ...hmm... ghetto paraphrase. Maybe it is wrong of me to laugh... nah, this is just the paraphrase of the Bible. I just keep thinking about the time Laurel got her copy in the mail last year... I remember some random people.. standing in the parking lot.. laughing hysterically. What were we reading? Here's how Rob Lacey introduces it:
"Back when he was a young romantic, Solomon writes love letters to his lady and she writes back. Some people read it from a different angle- that they're love letters between the Liberator and his people...whichever, it's hot stuff... -Rob"

5. One book that made you cry:
There have been many books that have made me cry over the years. Let's just face it, I am a crier. I cry in movies, TV shows... I guess I am sensitive to people or something. I cried in A Walk to Remember (both the movie and the book) and The Notebook, but that was nothing compared to The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis. This is the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. In case you haven't read this book, I won't tell you why I cried.... but man did I weep. Beautiful story. Incredible allegory... amazing. Thinking about it made me want to read it all over again... I think I will.

6. One book you wish had been written:
A book outlining my life. Step by step guide to where I've been and where I'm going. No one would really need it but me. It could be called, Jenna's Life for the Dummy Herself, or something like that.

7. One book you wish had never been written:
When Dreams Come True by Eric and Leslie Ludy. I don't actually wish it had never been written... that is a little harsh. I do wish that it was not a part of my personal library. I've never even read it actually. I mean... the book is basically a play by play of their wonderful, perfect, God-directed relationship. How depressing. I was told that I should read When God Writes Your Love Story my senior year in high school. Good book, I liked it. I've found that the most useful chapter for me is Chapter 10: "Can the Sweeter Song Be a Solo?"
(Note: I really don't hate this book or these people. I'm sure they are great. This was written with slight sarcasm, mostly because I couldn't think of a better answer. But I'm still not going to read When Dreams Come True.)

8. One book you're currently reading:
On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius. It is the first book we are reading in this Honors class I am taking this semester. Should be good. I am very interested in the books we will be reading. Dr. Young said that this is the "most pointedly Christian formation course" of the 5 Great Books classes. I've only read the first few pages at this point, but ask me later and I'll let you know what I think.

9. One book you've been meaning to read:
Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. I loved Blue Like Jazz, and the title itself proves that I would connect with the book... I just haven't gotten around to it. I need to just knock it out one day.

10. Tag five others:
Alexis, Carie, Shannon O'Keefe Smith, Rachel, and Jennifer Ford. I'd like to hear what you all would have to say.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road...

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life....

...Here I am. I find myself at another turning point. Today is the day that begins a new year...a first year... a last year.... And as I am waking up to this new morning, I feel somewhat unprepared to make the turn. It's not that I don't want some of the changes to come. I am so excited about this being my little sister's first year in college! The family is on their way as I type. In about two hours I will be moving in her stuff, helping her organize her closet, and running around like a spastic mother making sure she has everything she needs. As excited as I am, I am also feeling a bit anxious. I feel a little extra pressure on me... I want to be the best big sister ever. I want to help her have an amazing freshman year, especially because she had such a wonderful senior year... I don't want her to have regrets about leaving home. But I have to remember I am not God. I cannot be in control here. I cannot make sure everything goes perfectly, I cannot be the one always fixing things, and telling her what steps to take.... (I am so scared of being a mom one day) because I know I have a tendency to want to guide her through my experience, and her experience is going to be different. So here I am, completely excited, but so nervous I am going to stress myself out and ruin her life (slight exaggeration).

This is my last year of undergrad work... I graduate from Faulkner in May... 4 years here.... I remember when I was moving in that first day.. crazy. A little anxious about this graduating thing. People keep asking me all these annoying questions like, "what do you want to do with your life?" and "oh, maybe grad school? what do you want to study?" and "don't you think you should start figuring it all out??? you are done in May.." (naw, duh) Stop asking me questions PLEASE!! I ask myself 7500 times a day! When I know for sure, believe me, you will find out. And while I am on this subject of questions, there are many unanswered questions in my life--- here's how you can help--STOP ASKING ME ABOUT THEM!! If I need advice, I will ask. I am not afraid of asking and I talk too much anyways. (Can you sense the frustration?)

This year brings new classes, new friends, old friends, new adventures, new drama (I hate drama), old drama (I really hate the drama that is getting old here at the ole F(C)U... new opportunities, new disappointments, new successes, decisions, fun, stress.... and at the end of this year another turning point...

So basically this is me saying that life is moving and I am just wanting to put it on pause for just a little while. I'm sure most of you can relate to that feeling.

Well, I'm going to go make this a good day. :) adios