GBA

Ah, Independence Day. I love this day for many reasons.

Sure, I like the fireworks and hot dogs.

And yeah, who doesn't like a little obnoxious American elitism here and there?

But what I love most about the Fourth of July is not the food, the Lee Greenwood song, or even those popper things that you throw on the ground (although all of these rank pretty high).

No, I love the unity. For one day each year, it seems like everyone is on the same team. No Alabama or Auburn. No Republicans or Democrats. No Mac users or PC users. This night we are just citizens celebrating the great experiment that is the United States of America.

Yes, this country has some issues. We're still fumbling around and trying to figure how this experiment is going to turn out. We look stupid sometimes, and it's easy to see all of our flaws. Injustice. Political scandals. Inequality. Debt crisis. Obesity. Lindsay Lohan.

But I can't help but be proud of how far we've come in 200 something years. I can't help but be thankful for the trails that have been blazed and wars that have been fought. I can't help but think of the One who "shed His grace on thee."

So as I sit here eating my leftover banana pudding and watching Next Food Network Star, I realize that I am reaping benefits that I did not earn, and I certainly do not deserve. That's something to celebrate.

Goodnight, and God Bless America.

portions

If I have talked to you in the past two weeks, there is a big chance I've brought up the subject of portions. I'm sorry. But I've had a revelation, and I just can't keep it to myself.

I'm on an Elisabeth Elliot kick right now. And yes, you guessed it... I'm about to quote the heck out of her. I know what you're thinking: "Brittany, do you ever have original thoughts of your own?" The answer is "sometimes." But they mostly involve where I'm going to eat for lunch. Elisabeth just puts things so perfectly.

Keep a Quiet Heart is a book she compiled of newsletter articles she has written over the years. The first article of the book is about Jesus sleeping during the raging storm. It wasn't a negligent nap. He wasn't being lazy. He "knew when to take action and when to leave things up to His Father. He taught us to work and watch but never worry, to do gladly whatever we are given to do, and to leave all else with God."

In the midst of these volatile twenty-something years that are full of big decisions and uncertainty, this is an extremely comforting reminder.

Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup,

and have made my lot secure. -Psalm 16:5

Elisa (we're on a nickname basis) goes on to say: "Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are cancelled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter... All is under my Father's control: yes, relcalcitrant computers, faulty transmissions, drawbridges which happen to be up when one is in a hurry. My portion. My cup. My lot is secure. My heart can be at peace. My Father is in charge. How simple!"

Now for another kind of (simple) portion.

Strawberry shortcake. Can't stop making it.

Whipping cream However much you want

Sugar Until it tastes good

Vanilla Until it looks good

Put it all in a bowl.

Whip it. Whip it good.

Celebrate good times (come on!)

Now I just need some portion control.

Or not.

Memorializing

This will be short and sweet... just like last weekend.

We celebrated Memorial Day at the lake with my family.

We saluted our heroes,

went fishing (fishing = getting someone else to do the work while I reel them in),

had a classy photo shoot,

and ate entirely too much.

Told you this would be quick.

Welcome, Summer 2011. And God Bless America.

bits and banjos

I'm going to get around to a Memorial Day post soon, but right now there are only three things on my mind.

1) When are overalls coming back in style? I'm ready.

2) Will people at work make fun of me if I bring strawberry shortcake for lunch tomorrow?

3) Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. I'm hooked. Here's one of the only decent quality videos I can find:

Somebody get me a mandolin STAT. And tell me to ease up on the excessive video posting. Also, you should keep an eye out for Sarah Jarosz in the future. I'm calling it: she's going to be a big deal.

First I was loving Scottish music; now bluegrass.

Next stop: polka.

Give a hot mess a new meaning

I feel like I took a nap in April and woke up on May 28. Where has this month gone? What have I been doing?

I'll tell you what I've been doing.

A whole lot of "not blogging." With work, celebrations and a beach trip mixed in. Add some devastating tornadoes that ripped through the state, and you've got the roller-coaster months that were April and May. Rejoicing with those who rejoice. Weeping with those who weep. Relief. Sorrow. Complete joy. It's been a doozie.

I have also been learning this fun lesson called "Brittany is farther from perfect than she ever imagined." It's been really fun.

I'm reading a book called Don't Call it a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day by Kevin DeYoung. I highly recommend it. In a chapter called "Being Authentically Messed Up is Not Enough," Owen Strachan, one of the book's other authors, says this:

"[Sanctification] is not a mood. Neither is it a code. Sanctification is a dynamic outworking of the gospel in the life of every believer. This process of conforming to God thrives not when we tweak our attitude here, and modify our behavior there, but when we grow entranced with God, and Christ the 'founder and perfecter of our faith' looms large before us, magnificent in holiness, awesome in splendor, tenacious in love."

And my favorite:

"Sanctification is at base a tenacious grip on the robe of Christ, a wrestling with the Lord to bless us, a sojourn in the valley of death in pursuit of a city we cannot see."

Gripping, wrestling, and pleading. That sounds about right. I sure hope He continues to perfect this faith. Because I'm a mess.

Speaking of not being perfect:

I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend. I'm headed to the lake for a little R&R (Ribs and Relaxation). Happy Memorial Day to all, and to all a good night!

*Yes, the title of this post is from a Black Eyed Peas song. Judge away.

Ode to Stephen Colbert (not in haiku form)

Surely you have seen this by now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLAMhTorPCk

Genius. Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert had a bet. Stephen lost, and therefore had to sing Rebecca Black's now-famous "Friday" on Jimmy's show. And then the world became a better place.

Stephen and I go way back. Meaning, I jumped on the bandwagon about the same time everyone else did. Also, I went to his rally when I was in DC. And I can't believe I never told you about it.

Not to be outdone by Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity, Stephen latched on with his Rally to Restore Fear. The result? The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. Politically, I think I was a little outnumbered that day. But it sure was fun. And needless to say, Mr. Colbert is a hoot and a half.

Making an entrance--Chilean miner style.

Jon brought Cat Stevens (or whatever his name is now) to sing "Peace Train."

Stephen brought Ozzy to sing "Crazy Train."

Fighting ensued.

But then the O'Jays came out to sing "Love Train," and all was well.

While the rally itself was hysterical (and worth standing in a two-by-two foot space for six hours), I'd have to say my favorite part was the signage:

Just trying to make a statement, I guess.

So controversial!

My third favorite part was getting to meet some *other* Chilean miners...

Thanks for letting me reminisce. And sorry for getting you stuck on "Friday."

Hope you're having a great weekend, and in the words of Rebecca Black and Stephen Colbert, "partyin', partyin'... YEAH!"

Ode to Old Navy (in haiku form)

I like your cheap clothes.

Your commercials are quite weird.

Your tank tops are cute.

Search sometimes fruitless.

But it's all about the hunt.

Khaki shorts are fun.

Excited for spring.

Please keep the cute thongs coming.

By that I mean shoes.

Some make fun of you.

I say, "Good, more deals for me!"

And then I punch them.

The end. Happy Spring!