Miller and Henry

My birthday is bittersweet.

Very bittersweet. Henry Cart, a friend of mine and fellow traveler to Romania, passed away on my seventeenth birthday. He was a great guy and a great friend. He loved the Lord greatly and would be a senior in college this year. I remember with all too much clarity the morning of September 30th, 2006. I woke up with a call that Henry had died in the early morning hours. My friends and I spent the rest of the day laying in the room of Henry's girlfriend and one of my great friends. That was the most surreal day of my life. This memory makes it hard to celebrate on September 30th.

On September 20th of this year, only ten days ago, Miller Nuesse suffered from and ultimately died from a mysterious aneurysm. He was another friend from the same Romania trip. He was young and strong and great. Godly and joyful. He led a life of service and aimed to become a doctor one day. His sacrifice, even after life, saved the lives of 8 people. If you get a chance, read this. This is making this day bittersweet as well. But why? That is so silly. They are both in heaven PRAISING JESUS. IN HIS PRESENCE. At this moment! There is literally nothing more exciting than that. Nothing at all.

At Miller's memorial service, his mother and brother both spoke with unfailing joy and strength of the sort that only comes from the Holy Spirit. I could write a book about what they said that afternoon, but I won't. So come ask me about it sometime.

Mrs. Nuesse read some scripture. She read the wonderful Psalm 24.

 ¹ The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;   
² for he founded it upon the seas
       and established it upon the waters.
 ³ Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
       Who may stand in his holy place?
 ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
       who does not lift up his soul to an idol
       or swear by what is false. ^[a]
 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
       and vindication from God his Savior.
 ⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
       who seek your face, O God of Jacob. ^[b]
       Selah
 ⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ⁸ Who is this King of glory?
       The LORD strong and mighty,
       the LORD mighty in battle.
 ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       lift them up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
       The LORD Almighty—
       he is the King of glory.
       Selah

So today is a day of celebration. Celebration of the lives of Miller and Henry. Mourning may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning!


12. Memorize a passage of scripture.

My Dad's Turkey Chili

Ok, it's not MY dad's turkey chili exactly. It's Souper Jenny's dad's chili and, no offense to my wonderful, loving father, I'm probably glad it wasn't created by my culinarily challenged dad. Nonetheless, it was my oldest sister Katie's recipe of choice for teaching me how to make a meal. Since I am incapable of doing anything at an appropriate time or when it would be most convenient for everyone involved, i waited until 2 days before my birthday, when my sister was in Atlanta and I in Auburn to get her to teach me. But teach me she did. She sent me the grocery list and recipe early so I could prepare. I had to call her from the grocery store multiple times to ask questions like "does this mean TWO cans of 28-ounces or two SIXTEEN ounce cans..?" and "what exactly are 'white' beans?" Once I finally got all of my ingredients I headed home and began to prepare. I began with dessert and whipped up some Oreo Surprise (which is dominating my fridge, so please come get some.) After my classes ended for the day, I began chopping.. and chopping. Katie was concerned that I had gotten hurt because it was taking me so long. Katie made sure I checked in at least every 15 minutes. And good thing I did. I had to keep asking if I absolutely had to use all of those tomatoes or a whole bunch of cilantro. She allowed me some creative freedom and I'm thinking the chili was better for it. Maybe. I hope. She was able to teach me how to follow a recipe but where I had room to wiggle. And I only cut myself once and burned twice! However, I have an enormous amount leftover. So please, PLEASE come get some.

(pictures to come)


5. Let my oldest sister teach me how to make a real meal.

Etsy.

Ok. So I haven't ACTUALLY sold anything yet, but it is up for sale. And that counts for something, right? I'm gonna say right. I made a few hair pieces and listed them on Etsy. They have been viewed a total of 3 times combined. So, you know, I'm really hitting it big, fast. Honestly, I'm too embarrassed to put the link up at the moment. Maybe later when I am feeling braver I will show it to you guys. Here's to starting my career!

16. Actually sell something I make.

Jule and Josh.

My trip to Jule Collins was not what I expected. There were multiple classes there on field trips and there for a lecture. It was crowded and there were people there I knew. To be quite frank, it was a tad bit awkward. Plus, I get distracted very easily. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the artwork and it was all quite beautiful (except for maybe a few awkward half-naked children paintings). The actual place is wonderful and hopefully when I return I can possibly enjoy it a tad bit more peacefully. My saving grace was that I didn't go alone. Josh Marx was kind enough to accompany me. Josh has been one of the, if not the most supportive person in my quest to finish my list. And by supportive, I mean he bugs me often about how much I have left to do and comes up with solutions as to how I can finish. When I have said that I just don't think I will be able to finish some of the goals, he has come up with creative solutions to help me finish in what little time I have. So hopefully with a little bit more encouragement and help I can finish before Thursday!

18. Go to Jule Collins Museum.

I am not creative.

About 93% of the time when I tell someone that I am a fashion design major they immediately reply with, "Oh, you must be VERY creative!" I am not creative. If you have spoken with me for more than 4 minutes, you probably know that. The more I delve into my major, the more I realize that creativity is hard work. It is a process and the more people think you are or expect you to be creative, the harder it is and more pressure you feel. (And in case you are wondering what I learn in my classes, I am currently in class where my teacher is instructing us on how to stay inspired.. here are her tips: Be alert for source of inspiration, Trust your intuition, Folder of scrap pictures, Sketch or croquis book, Research other designers, Collect fabric and trims, Collect garments, SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!!!!! )

People are often confused because I love creative things. I love dance, art, music, movies and theater. I am not incredibly good at any of these things but I enjoy them immensely. I am not putting myself down, let me assure you. I am just very aware of what I am truly best at. Like being honest.

This is all very beside the point. The point is that I painted something. Not a great something, but something.

“Allowing somebody, one mere person, to believe that he or she is the vessel, the font and the essence and the source of all divine, creative, unknowable eternal mystery is just a smidge too much responsibility to put on one fragile human psyche. It’s like asking someone to swallow the sun.”
-Elizabeth Gilbert


7. Paint.

The Kids Are Alright

So, I went to a movie alone. I love to do things alone. I require a lot of alone time. But let me tell you, going to a movie alone was one of the most depressing things I have ever done. I definitely did not expect to hate it quite as much as I did.
I am what most people call a movie talker. Not a movie question asker, because y'all need to calm down and pay attention, but.. a talker. I like to discuss my ideas on what's going to happen or how everything will turn out. With no one there to discuss my increasingly brilliant insights on the movie, I grew very frustrated. I left frustrated. I'm still frustrated thinking about it because it was a very discussion worthy movie and I don't even know anyone else who saw it.
The movie was "The Kids Are Alright". It was about a lesbian couple with two teenage kids who go on a search for their biological father. My fingers feel weird and awkward even typing that. Nevertheless, it was.. interesting, but I think I just really needed someone there with me to diffuse the awkwardness of what I was watching. Maybe I will try again with a more mind-numbing movie one day.

Maybe.


8. Go to a movie alone.