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rydney
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Name: Sydney
Location: Virginia, United States
Birthday: 1/15/1984
Gender: Female
Interests: God, learning more about His love for me, learning more about how I can show my love for Him, cultivating Passion, gaining wisdom, God's revelations, Spiritual gifts, Jesus as the Bridegroom, Song of Solomon, Chi alpha leaders, Chi Alpha, Patty, anthropology, Madeleine, reading, and your mom, but not being your mom, like my friend John said one time.
Expertise: I don't so much know that I have expertise in anything... but I like to pretend I know things that I really don't. Most people fall for it
Occupation: Student
Industry: Hospitality
Message: message meEmail: email me
AIM:  sydneybean115
Member Since:
9/19/2004
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| I read a truly amazing book yesterday; yes, I read the whole book yesterday. It's called A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and it's by Donald Miller. I was all set to not like the book, since I have mixed feelings about stuff he has written in the past.
But I've been thinking recently about how I want my life to mean more than it currently means. I don't really know what that looks like, but it's the cry of my heart to pour my life out for something meaningful; something that lasts beyond my life. I know the only way to do that is to live it for Jesus. I am currently an intercessory missionary, and so I am pouring my life out for Jesus. And I desperately long for that to feel like enough. But the social justice part of my heart is aching to be put to use again.
It's why I majored in Anthropology when all is said and done. I believe in justice. I believe in speaking for people who cannot speak for themselves. It's why forensic anthropology is what it is to me. Or was to me; I guess it's not really a whole lot to me, except for something I was once headed into. I get to speak for someone who can't speak for themself; I get to bring justice in the ultimately unjust situation - death. It's also particularly handy for my introverted side that doesn't always deal well with other people - there's not a whole lot of personal interaction with dead people.
Thinking about it now, though, I guess I kind of get to do that same thing in my current job. I have the privilege of talking with the God of the universe about all of the unjust things in the world. About human trafficking, and orphans, about widows and genocide, about abortion and rape and all of the brokenness of my generation.
Oh, the brokenness of my generation! Abba, how it must make Your heart break; I know it breaks mine and my heart is so very hard and calloused compared to Yours. Oh, would You come and meet my generation? Would you interrupt their lives and challenge them to something higher than themselves - to a story greater than themselves - to a man named Jesus?
That's what the book was about - living a story greater than yourself; giving your life meaning. And it struck a chord in me, because it's just one more confirmation that there's more to my life out there than what I currently possess. And while the tension between what is and what I long for is painful, it is also oh so very beautiful. Because it draws me to His heart and His plan. And He slips His hand in mine and takes me on a grand adventure.
And really, how can I say no to a grand adventure?
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| Okay, so all the things running through my head are NOT completely unChristmas-y, just not all are completely focused on the Jesus (true) side of Christmas. Oh well, indulge me in my heathenness and just know that I have had much revelation on Christmas (the true reality of it) this season and at some point will get around to sharing it, just not when I'm high on cold medicine :)
1) Do you know the author Donald Miller? He's written a bunch of critically acclaimed 'religious' books - I am purposefully NOT using the word Christian, because I think he would not use that word. Probably his most famous book is Blue Like Jazz. I've read that one, as well as Searching for God Knows What and To Own a Dragon. I enjoyed the last one (it's about growing up without a father, which I relate to only in the that my father and I were not particularly close emotionally, growing up) and have written about the second one in a previous entry (probably in 2006 or 2007); mostly just a couple of places where I disagree with his theology. I have just started his new book, which I checked out from the library, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.
I haven't even finished chapter one, and so may revise this opinion, but I already feel disappointed in it - the introduction was quite promising, but I'm not sure I agree with his opening paragraphs from the first page. He started out talking about how when we pursue worthless things, I our lives have no value or meaning. This, I agree with. He then commences to talk about how he can't remember many things about his life, but he has a friend who writes down everything so his friend will have a lot to talk to God about, but he won't cause he can only remembers this one time getting a merit badge, but he lost the merit badge and after talking to God about that, he thinks God will just stare at him blankly. I feel as though he may be joking, or, rather, I want to believe that he is joking, but the God I know isn't like this. I think I am so dissatisfied because he is held up to be this pentacle of Christian writing, but he doesn't know God. I don't want to seem like I am judging him, I just I just don't get the hype. Though I really did enjoy the book about him growing up without a father.
2) Today is Christmas, and it was glorious. I enjoyed reliving The Nativity Story in my mind while watching my nieces open their mountain of gifts. I also enjoyed opening my own presents - quite a few good things! I got a game I've had my eye on since I found out about it: Bookopoly!!! It's totally geeky and completely nerdish, but it delights my heart and I can't wait to play it.
I also got new slippers!! Now my feet have something to look forward to after onething is over and my feet no longer want to talk to me because I have so horridly abused them. :)
I got a Best Buy gift certificate, which I am looking forward to using (no ideas come to mind on what I might use it for, but I'm sure it will be great!)
I got three movies: Gilmore Girls, Season 7( my favorite season); Paper Heart (which I haven't actually seen, but love the looks of and can't wait to watch); Death at a Funeral (I LOVE weird, quirky movies - I actually really enjoyed The Darjeeling Limited).
Several books: Jesus and the God of Israel; Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?; The Bravehearted Gospel; Jane Austen and the Fiction of Her Time; Jane Austen in Context; and Jane Austen's World. Yes, I enjoy what most people would probably call textbooks. (Two of the Jane Austen books are textbook like and the third is what I guess could be described as a coffeetable book). I haven't read the one about God and Israel, but the other two are PHENOMENAL and you should totally ask to borrow them and or get them out of the library.
3) I also got a whole ton of coffee and a Starbuck's card from the wonderful James' and some absolutely amazing pajamas from the terrific Eitels. I literally have been wearing my pajamas since I got home from receiving them Wednesday night :). They have owls on them dressed up for winter. I is excited about them - I ADORE owls. Oh! That reminds me, I also got a really cool owl ornament made out of a pinecone. Woot!
4) I've been taking a TON of Vitamin C the past two days - courtesy of my lovely mother. I'm popping them three at a time several times a day. I've never been a believer in Vitamin C, but SERIOUSLY, OMG, I'm feeling lots better. Still not good, but better. The unbearable pressure from yesterday is not longer in my head, and while I can't always breathe, I'm not really stuffed up either. It's sort of like half my face is stuffed up(ish) and half my face is completely dried out. It seems to be working it's way down my body - I've developed a cough today. Oh well, it's about time to dose myself up again and read until I fall asleep.
5) I hope you and your family(s) had lots of fun today and were thankful in your hearts for the birth of Jesus! I'm so profoundly grateful for Him and what He did for me.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
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| I'm several days overdue (about seven) for a post about Abby's birthday. Coming soon, I promise.
Soon, I'd also like to talk about what I'm learning about Christmas this year.
I feel like I should probably also talk about the Student Awakening services... since they are such a large part of my life currently. :)
Maybe I'll also share what I've been reading recently, and what's currently on the docket to be read soon.
OH! And if I'm really with the program, I'll share pictures of how my friend Andy redressed my Jane Austen action figure (I keep it on my desk at work) to become a 'Flag Lady'. That's what he calls her. But I call her Gladys Aylward.
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| So, it's offically my birthday in 31 days. It's possibly pathetic that I know this, but there's much excitement in my heart about this birthday, not for any particular reason, though. I thought I might make it easier on all you present weary people (I totally get the picking out presents for all of your friends for Christmas makes picking out a birthday present for me, sort of the last thing you want to do) to pick a birthday present for me. I mean, if you want to get me something, which you totally don't have to. 1) Prophetic anything. This is super cheap; it will cost you nothing, or next to nothing. It will mostly only cost you time AND it will draw you closer to God, cause you'll have to talk to Him. About me. :) You could prophecy over me in a card, or write me a prophetic poem, or story, or song. You could paint me a prophetic piece of pottery or a painting. My friend Jennifer painted me a prophetic picture last year for my birthday and I love it! She didn't know this at the time, in fact, I'm not sure if she knows it now, but there are three prophetic symbols (I think they are prophetic; they are certianly symbols I am drawn to) in my life: lions, owls, and trees. She painted a picture of me as a tree that is just awesome!!! Seriously, anything prophetic, I will take with open arms :) 2) A Gift Card to a book store. I simply adore books. Adore them. Options include, and are pretty much limited to: Barnes and Noble, Borders, Half Price Books, Books-a-millions, Forerunner Bookstore, and amazon.com (these were in no particular order). If you'd rather give me an actual book, here are a few I'm considering: Putting Jesus in His Place - Robert Bowman; Humanity and Divinity of Christ - John Knox; Collected Works - Jeanne Guyon; Systematic Theology - Wayne Grudem; Scared - Tom Davis; Recalling the Hope of Glory - Allen Ross; Created for Worship - Noel Due ; Bernard of Clairvaux on the Song of Songs (I have the first volume, but am looking for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th volumes(I think Amazon is the cheapest place to buy these)). *NOTE: if you decide to buy me a book, buy it USED!!! Even if it's a little (or a lot) beat up - it adds character and is WAY cheaper. I really won't even mind if there is other people's writing in it...!* The following books can only be found at the forerunner bookstore (or online): Babylon by Peter Herder and Benji Nolot (can also be found on the Exodus Cry website) and Mourning for the Bridegroom by Dana Candler
3) itunes gift card. Seriously, I won't think this is a lame present at all. It's easier to list this than the half a dozen CDs I currently am jonesing for. In case you care though, now that I have my itunes account in front of me, they are (in no particular order): Fireflies and Songs - Sara Groves; Everything is Different - Shane and Shane; These Dying Embers - Jenelle Hebert; Sleeping When You Woke Me - Kate Hurley; Painted Red - JJ Heller; Point of Life - Misty Edwards; Fling Wide - Misty Edwards
4)A Gift Card to a Coffee Shop. Coffee dates are a pretty regular thing here at IHOP. Gift cards to Starbucks or Higher Grounds will be met with much applause and many Huzzahs! 5) A movie. The handful on my list include: Mickey's Christmas Carol (I watched this movie easily 1000s of times as a kid, but my copy is on VHS (possibly Beta), Newsies (Christian Bale singing - does it get any better?), Pride and Prejudice (the 1940 one - I've never seen it, but I love all things Pride and Prejudice), and All the President's Men (Yep, I love this movie. Not sure what it is about this movie, but it's awesome.) *NEW ADDITION: The Nativity Story (the one from 2006 starring Keisha Castle-Hughes as Mary; side note: did you know the lady who directed this movie also directed Twilight? Fascinating!).*
6) Let's do lunch! (Or dinner, or coffee). Set up a time with me to have a meal together and fellowship. We can even 'go Dutch' if you want (that means, I'll pay my own way!). It'll be uber fun, cause I'd love to know what's on your heart. 7) Calendar. If you click on 'Calendar', it's a link to the one I want. Seriously, I love this calendar. I've had it for two years running, and it pretty much never fails to make me laugh. :) When I first found out about it, I was in Borders and literally laughed out loud to myself. It's great! 8) Ruben Toledo. Okay, don't actually get me the man, Ruben Toledo. I just want his art. I love it. I bought the copy of Pride and Prejudice that he did the cover for, but would love his version of Wuthering Heights. Check out the apartment he lives in with his fashion designer wife: here. I can't find that he has any other art for sale, which makes me sad, because his art is so wonderfully whimsical. Seriously, I'll bet you enjoy it too. 9) Omega: The End Times Board Game. Yes, that's right. IHOP has come out with a new board game based on the end times. I love both of those things (board games and the end times). Feel free to buy this for me :)
10) A Mug. Royal Diner; or Forensic Anthropology. 11) Double Chocolate Raspberry Truffles from Godiva. 12) If you have decided that lotion or perfume is the way to go (and my dry skin would definitely thank you), consider Bath and Body Words Enchanted Orchid. Regular and travel size are both appreciated - travel size can be thrown in my purse and carried with me. :)
13) Anything else you can think of. Really, I'm not that hard to buy for - I just thought I'd make it easier on you and give you some legit ideas. Disclaimer:You don't have to get me anything! | | |
| Check out these bookends
It's hard to find awesome bookends for a decent price. $40 for a set is not bad - not AWESOME, but not bad. And these bookends make me happy - the chair is such a great idea. I love bookends. I like to imagine putting them on my built in bookcases when I'm a grownup and have my own house. Currently, my amazing collection of books is housed in milk crates in my room and some bookshelves in my garage. I have three bookends currently, somewhere in storage. I have a pair of Italian Alabaster Red hearts and a single orangish-yellow glass elephant, both somewhere in storage.
Then, I have this big, fat, adorable chef, named Phosphorus Bojangles. He's not technically a bookend, but I could probably use him as one.
I know most people dream about the white picket fence they will have in their house, or the amazing kitchen or bathroom they will have (and I DO dream of having a Kohler faucet), but my biggest dream is an awesome library. Or at least some amazing bookshelves. I adore books.
I even like books about other books - I'm currently reading a book about the issues, sources, and historical documents of Pride and Prejudice. It's fascinating. And probably makes me a nerd, but I'm okay with that.
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