Seven: Movies I love.

Today's post is not one that I find as easy nor as interesting as the rest. I'm not one of those people who is crazy about movies. I don't get really excited when a new movie that I can't wait to see comes out on DVD, nor do I go see movies in the theaters. I'm too cheap and my attention span too short. [Irony: I'm watching a movie-well a documentary- while writing this. It's on the Bloods and the Crypts. That's right, the gangs. I'm a sociology major, it's research...]

I am one of those people who watches the same movies over, and over, and over again. 90% of the time, I'd pick a movie I'd already seen over one that I hadn't yet. That might be a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. That being said, there are movies that I love. Movies I am always ready to watch. Now, I do not have very impressive movies tastes. You wont find any "indie" films on this list, or really anything of too much substance. I watch movies to be entertained, to make me feel good. Not to get me to think, or to challenge me. You may think this is dumb, I don't care. I'm not out to impress anyone with my favorite movies.

So in honor of the seventh day... here are my top 7 favorite Movies:

1. The Sound of Music

Oh yeah. This is on the list. How do you solve a problem like Maria? I am 16 going on 17.... These are a few of my favorite things. Seriously, I love this movie. It is my all time favorite. I can sing along (poorly) with all of the songs, and I'll go ahead and say it... I relate to Maria. She is a disaster most of the time, but that is what makes her loveable. Ask the Captain, he fell for her.

2. Beauty and the Beast.

Duh. Momma says that I used to act this movie out with her and my dad from the time I could talk- which is right around the time it came out. Love that Belle, love that Beast. And who is going to resist Chip? Plus the movie has great implications for life as an adult. Love someone for their heart, not their outward appearance... yadda yadda ya.

3. Definitely, Maybe.

um, Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, and Isla Fischer. What more could you ask for from a movie? Besides an adorable plot line.

4. Love Actually.

This movie is filthy. Filled with sex and nudity and scandal. Yet, the Christmas charm, the way it all works out in the end, the love. I can't ignore it. Every Christmas, out comes Love Actually. I always get mad at Alan Rickman, I always want Sarah to ignore the call from her brother when she is with Karl, and I always cry Colin Firth proposes. The movie is beautiful amidst its crudeness. Watch it (but not with some one under 17... or someone sheltered. whew, they will be scarred.)

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

It's my favorite book in the series and my favorite movie. He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named returns. And things get interesting. Plus, Cedric Diggory--HELLO!

6. Little Women.

One of my favorite books would of course be one of my favorite movies. It is so tender, and sweet and I love the way the March girls interact. Makes me think of my silly family. But seriously Jo, why on EARTH would you say no to Teddy? Really, dumb move.

and finally

7. The Sandlot.

Do I really have to explain? I give you but one word... Squints. Perfect.

There you have it. If Friday night rolls around and you're looking for something entertaining... check out one of these. Its bound to be enjoyable.

SIX: A picture that I love.

Ask anybody who knows me pretty well, or stop by my room (at school or at home) and you will see that I love pictures. I have photo albums and boxes full of pictures. Now, I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination, a good photographer. In fact, I kinda suck. The point and shoot, while simple in concept is still difficult in execution. True Story. A lot of my pictures come out blurry or off center or really just not what I was trying to get when I held the camera up. But regardless of how poor of a photographer that I am, I still love pictures.

Pictures- for me- don't just capture smiling faces or pretty pieces of creation, they capture memories and moments that I don't want to ever forget. I look at a picture and I feel like I am back in that moment. I can tell you where we were, what we were doing, what the weather was like, how I felt. It helps that I have a kick-ass memory, but it isn't dependent on that memory. Show me a picture and I am back there, with those people, in that place. And I love it.

Picking one picture that I love is hard. Because I love them all-- well that is probably not true, but for the most part. So I am just picking one- following the rules. Just one...

Fact. I didn't take this picture. Which is probably why it looks so good. That and the people in this picture-- clearly. I have spent the past four summers working at Camp Westminster, a place near and ever so dear to my heart. Each week is a different session, with a cabin full of different girls. Different age groups depending on which week it was- ranging from 7-year-olds to 15-year-olds. My favorite week- of all of my four summers, was Summer 2010's Senior Session with these girls.

These 8 girls had ALL been in my Cabin at least once before. And some of them, every summer, every week that they came. This past summer, perhaps our final summer together, these girls were heading into their Freshmen year of High School- young women, no longer little girls. Girls who had grown in wisdom, and stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) I have never really experienced what it was like to watch people grown and truly transform, like I have gotten to with these precious girls. Watching them mature, how their questions and concerns changed, how our interactions moved from one of an older "adult" leader, to a friendship. They are sweet, full of life and excitement, and they-like myself- love Camp.

So for me, when I am having a bad day, I look at this picture. When I see it, I am back in the 95 degree heat, braiding my hair, wearing my one piece, going around the dining hall, "cooking class," dancing in the cabin to Justin Bieber, singing in the Tabernacle, Speedball and the best Cabin ever. I remember our summers spent giggling, praying and pursuing relationships-with each other and the Lord. I remember the little girls they once were, and smile at the thought of the young women they have become. Here's to Cabin Esther, and the girls who have resided in it for the past 3 summers (or 4 if you include the summer in Cabin Miriam). Mary, Emily, Kat, Nicki, Caroline, Madison, Megen, and Katie-- this one is for you.

Seesters

I have done a pretty sucky job at being consistent with this whole 30-day challenge thing. Alas. But you know what, as long as I finish, I am going to consider it a victory. Plus, sometimes, you just have better things to do than to blog about your sisters. Like actually hanging out with my sisters. For Real.

Day 6: My Siblings.
Going home means a few things-- It means watching TONS of movies and Tv that I haven't really missed. It means my cat not my fish. It's eating Grandma's stuffing over the Great Hall's stuffing. It means sleeping in and staying up late (which never happens) and SISTERS.

My sisters are my best friends, my companions from the time they were born to forever. We fight, we laugh, we cry, we are hilarious, and I love them. I am so thankful (it's thanksgiving, I'ma exploit it) that I have them in my life. A lot people will say they wish they had a brother, or and older sister or a sibling that they don't have. Not me. I am really glad that my sisters are mine.

Brittany, The middle sister.
And she is a classic middle sister. She is stubborn and hardheaded, but more loyal than really any other person that I have ever met. She loves with everything that she has, and she will fight for the ones that she loves with reckless abandon. Sometimes she will claim that she "doesn't like people" which means she just gets irritated easily by stupid people, which makes sense. people are dumb. But once she is your friend, she will stick by you. She's my opposite- tan, small, athletic, snarky, and just a little bit crazy. But all the good ones are just a little bit crazy.

Nichole. The babe.
Oh and she is the babe. Center of attention. And so weird. She is the mix of Britt and I. Not sure if that is a good thing, but she is. She is an athlete and social and unique and a Nesbitt. She is just as stubborn as Britty, and just as dominant as me. She loves doing new things and lives life on the edge, really all the time. She is dynamic. And funny. She's four years younger than me and has had way more dates than I have. Boys cannot resist the Coco. And who is going to argue with them.

Momma Bear and Poppa Bear

Day 5: my parents.

My parents are pretty awesome. I think a lot of people would say that of their parents, but I really do mean it. My parents are great. I do not think I could have asked for better ones. Sure, they have their crazy moments, but who doesn't? And they love me with every thing they have. Seriously, I don't think they could love me more than they already do.

Momma Bear: Oh Lynda. The leader of the Nesbitt Sorority. She keeps us together- even when we do not want to be together. She works harder than anybody I know, and is wildly independent. She can talk to a wall and I swear it would respond. She is never afraid to speak her mind- and while sometimes this makes us uncomfortable, but she does it because she believes in justice and fair treatment. Always. She will go to battle for us everyday, no matter what. My mom is a trooper, she's endured a lot, and she loves without abandon.

Poppa Bear: Pat. Pat Nesbitt. My dad is pretty much me, but a boy with a mustache. He listens well, is a peacemaker, and a servant. And, let's be honest, he is HILARIOUS. The man is crazy and that is what makes him, Pat. He loves people and loves helping them. I think that if the man could, he would pack up and move to Romania tomorrow. He is the reason that I was first introduced to missions and why I want to go into missions. He is a quiet lover, not one to be overtly sentimental or gushy, but his love is constant. He provides for us, prays for us, and he encourages us to follow our hearts and to listen to the Lord's call.

I love my parents. And after leaving home and not living with them, makes me miss them even more. I am thankful for them, and I can't wait to see them in just a few days. thanksgiving come quickly.

I'm cheating a little

I. am. so. tired.

I am about to fall asleep right here, right now. It is embarrassing. But not really. I haven't got much sleep over the past few days and I think it is catching up with me. I am going to go to bed without answering the question of the day. BUT at least I blogged to inform the general population that I was doing so. I promise to answer it with a florish tomorrow. But seeing as I need to be up and ready for church in the morning. I'm taking the mulligan and going to bed.

Just a little golf humor for you there.

Day 3: My first love.

Love.
I love a lot of things, I love a lot of people.
Freud would say my first love would be my mom or my dad or my brother if I had one.
(But that is just gross, and wrong. I mean I love my parents, and I don't have a brother. But seriously, nasty. Come on Freud, get a grip.)
I love Jesus, with everything that is in me and yet with not enough. But I that is probably not what this question is asking....

When I was 17, I got my dream job working as a junior counselor at Camp Westminster. [to prove this dream was real: when I was in the 4th grade I dressed up as a JC girl for Career day. That is a true story.] I went into that summer after having had only 1 "boyfriend" in the 7th grade... Sorry Beecher, but it doesn't really count. (It's okay, we're still friends). And I really had no intention of finding myself a "man" that summer. Whoops.

He was my camp crush when I was 15, my instant companion for the summer, and part of the Triumphant Trio. We, along with Jennifer Tucker, spent all of our free time together- even past the end of the Camping season. We mourned the end of summer and the distance that would creep, unwanted into our lives. Jennifer and I lived on opposite sides of Atlanta, and the boy, well, he lived in Budapest. That's right, Hungary.

We corresponded through Facebook messages, and weekly phone calls and before I knew it Thanksgiving had rolled around and my parents let their 17-year-old daughter fly halfway around the world to spend the week with the boy she liked, but was not yet her boyfriend. But they did, and I am thankful for that. 1. I got to go to Hungary, which was incredible. But more importantly 2. I spent the week with this boy and his incredible family, meeting his friends, exploring the city he loved and enjoying the company of this boy who was now my boyfriend. There was an innocence in our relationship. Not naivete, we understood that being in a "long distance relationship" was going to be difficult, but we were friends first. This "liking" had grown out of that, far greater than the summer spent together. I came home with a few more stamps in my passport and the heart of this boy.

I'll never know why our families let us have this grand, romantic, and Hollywood-esque adventure our senior year of high school. But I am forever grateful that they did. Because I look back on that week, and the months proceeding it with fondness. It is a season of my life that I doubt I will ever forget. I love those memories and I think, in my own innocent way, I loved him from the beginning. The love has transformed, it is no longer a cheesy-Hollywood love, and I am thankful for that. It makes the "beginning Love" unique and precious. We're growing and changing and the Lord is not done working in our lives so we are not yet fully sanctified (hallelujah) and until that day our love will continue to change and grow.

So my first love would be the boy from summer camp who captured my heart at 15 when I was a doe-eyed camper, again as an innocent JC girl, as an American curious in a foreign and unknown land.... and he still has it today. Here's to you Matt. Even though you thought I wasn't going to write about you... I love you.

Day 2: Meaning behind the Blog Title.

"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold...Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
-2 Corinthians 3:12, 17-18

The title "With an Unveiled Face" comes from this passage of Scripture. My favorite passage of Scripture. The passage that redefined my thinking and my relationship with Jesus. In Exodus, Moses comes down from talking with God on Mount Sinai and his face is SHINING. Straight up glowing. And he had to put a veil on to cover his face. So from then on, after Moses went in to speak with the Lord, he would come out and have to cover hid face with the veil. The glory of the lord was too, well, glorious to even gaze upon.

But the story doesn't stop there. No, no, and that's the greatest part. Jesus came, he lived, he died and HE ROSE AGAIN. And because of that, we can have the greatest hope. We no longer have to have a veil to cover our faces. We can pray, we can worship, we can enter into the Holy of Holies and come out with our faces uncovered.

And it gets better. Not only can we go into the Holy of Holies with our faces uncovered but we have FREEDOM in Christ and when we are in Him we are new creations. Forever being transformed into his likeness. And he is with us, his Spirit lives in us and guides us. We are his children, we are his people, he loves us and he cares for us. And that is the best thing. That we can stand with our faces unveiled, basking in the glory of the Lord for all to see.

And that is that.
(The tag line- "I can't wait to put more stamps in my passport" simply means I can't wait to put stamps in my passport.)

Day 1: Introduction and "15 Interesting things"

ABOUT MEH: I am a girl. I probably should consider myself a woman, but I don't. I have a child's heart. I go to college. I learn and study a lot. I go to soccer games, not football. I cheer loudly and obnoxiously. I have 3 roommates and we sleep in a love bed. I love coffee and flavored water. I love DISTINCT seasons and taking walks with Boyfriend. I'm a Harry Potter fan and I am not ashamed of it. I love my sisters, earrings and small children. But most of all I love my Jesus, and I am continually amazed that He loves me.

(also, I am supposed to include a recent picture. Well all my recent pictures I am dressed in goofy mom get up or as a pilgrim. That is not the kind of thing you want to leave as an impression on people. Plus, I already posted them in some previous posts. Scroll down if your looking for a laugh.)

1. My favorite book is The Great Gatsby. Followed closely by Little Women. Books are just not written like they used to be.

2. I'd rather take a test than write a paper ANY DAY. The only time I am okay with writing a paper is when it is solely my opinion. I am a bad paper writer, but I can memorize like it is my job.

3. If I had to drop out of college tomorrow, I would pack a bag and go live in the bush in Romania or Kenya or India and just teach small children that Jesus loves them. Maybe I should do that anyways. I just really love to travel. And can't wait to move to Europe.

4. I have the taste buds of a 7-year-old. And about the appetite of one as well. I don't eat much. No I do not have an eating disorder, I just don't eat a lot. But if I had to eat one meal for the rest of my life I would eat the 5-cheese baked ziti from Olive Garden. Oh, so very good.

5. In high school I did a lot of theater. SHOCK. And my senior year I was Grace in our production of Annie.

6. I'm into the Silly Bandz trend. And I kinda hate that I love those colorful, shaped rubber bands. But I do.

7. Dr. Pepper > Coca Cola. Period. And I will go to the grave saying that.

8. One time I stepped off a curb outside of Covenant's gym, slipped on a patch of ice and tore my ACL. TRUE STORY.

9. I sometimes forget to shave my legs. And I go for a few weeks before I realize that I haven't done it in a while. My boyfriend hates this about me.

10. I want a handful of children. And by that I mean I want a full hand of children, which would be 5 kids. But I do NOT want to ever drive a mini-van. And yes, I have all of their names picked out. Go ahead, judge away.

11. I have a thing for guys in plaid.

12. The Google app on my phone is my most used application. One might say I am information hungry.

13. I hate to talk on the phone. I get really uncomfortable and awkward (what's new). I would rather send a text message, and email or just meet face-to-face. I am far to physical in my conversations to be understood as fully without a visual of what I am doing.

14. I'm afraid of Llamas. One time when I was like 4 years old, I was at a petting zoo and a llama started to eat my hair. Very painful, very traumatizing.

15. I wear Christmas socks all year round. They are too festive to keep them seasonal only. Also, I never wear plain white socks. Bor-ing.

Day One. Done.

The Challenge

The challenge is simple:
To blog, everyday, for 30 days straight.

Now I admit, to some this is a weak challenge, for they blog regularly all the time. I on the other hand, have sporatic moments of great involvement in blogging, as well as great dry periods. But I want that to change. Not because I want a ton of people to read my blog and be inspired, or because I have something incredibly worthwhile to say--because I don't. I'm boring. But I don't write for other people. I write for me.

"Keep a journal if that's the case."
That's what you are thinking, I know. But I do have a journal. It is my prayers. My deepest most intimate thoughts with my Father. And while I do cherish what I write on those lined pages, the content is not the same as what I would write in a blog. So I journal and I blog. Deal.

The content of each day is decided by whomever established this challenge (someone devoted to New Year's Resolutions I am sure...) and I will adhere to them, it just seems smart. Some days will be funny, sentimental, snarky, sweet, weird and probably knowing myself, dramatic. I am excited about this. Ready to learn from myself-because yes, I do think it is possible. And perhaps at the end of all of this, I can look back and have 30 days documented for myself to enjoy-- and possibly the handful of other people who will actually read this.


(this is the list of each day's content, in case anyone missed that.)

1. Introduce, Recent Picture, and 15 Interesting Facts
2. Meaning Behind Your Blog Name
3. Your First Love
4. Your Parents
5. Your Siblings
6. A Picture of Something That Makes You Happy
7. Favorite Movies
8. A Place You’ve Traveled To
9. A Picture of Your Friends
10. Something You’re Afraid Of
11. Favorite TV Shows
12. What You Believe
13. Goals
14. A Picture You Love
15. Bible Verse
16. Dream House
17. Something You’re Looking Forward To
18. Something You Regret
19. Something You Miss
20. Nicknames
21. Picture of Yourself
22. Favorite City
23. Favorite Vacation
24. Something You’ve Learned
25. iPod Shuffle
26. A Picture of Your Family
27. Pets
28. Something That Stresses You Out
29. Three Wishes
30. A picture

challenge accepted.

blahh.

It's Saturday.

It's beautiful outside.

I am inside, sitting at my desk with a giant stack of books in front of me. All needing to be gleaned from, to gain much knowledge on John Dewey. No, not the guy who invented the Dewey Decimal System. That would be far more interesting. No, this is the dude who reformed the way education is viewed. Whatever. No one cares. Except the education majors.



I am not an education major. So I certainly do not care.

Is it thanksgiving yet?

Things I Love.

1. Fall. Even though Georgia often refuses to admit is exists.

2. Flavored water. 69 cents from Wally. Get you some.

3. Dreams. Of any kind.

4. Walks with Boyfriend. Everyday. Oh, he is great.

5. Clean laundry. When you can have the pick of everything you own and not have to worry about making sure your stuff is clean. the luxury.

6. Earrings. Of all kids.

7. Naps in the love bed. Especially with all the roommates.

8. Tights. In all sorts of colors and designs. SO MUCH FALL FUN!

9. New journals, full journals and journaling in general.

10. Celebrating everything. Birthdays, holidays, engagements, graduations, etc.

Let's get out of here

This pass weekend rocked my world.

I know that sounds desperately dramatic, and I know that tons of people probably walked away from the MTW Mission's Conference with this sense of "calling" on their lives, and trust me I understand that. But I'm not just saying it because I am walking away with the "high" of being surrounded by these incredible men and women of the faith who are living on the front lines, proclaiming the Gospel. And I am not just saying it because it is trendy, or because every good christian should feel the call. No, I don't feel it because of that.

I'm terrified of the idea of being on the field, full time, 100%. Being a "career missionary" was something I always thought I would be but never thought about what that would mean for my life. For my future family, for my sisters and my parents. It is scary. It will be hard. I will have to raise support, and live in a land that I do not know anything really, where I more than likely wont speak the language and where I probably wont like 70% of the food there. There will be lonely days, weeks, months and perhaps years. There will be seasons where there is little fruit and little harvest. There will be suffering.

But there will be unspeakable, unquenchable joy.

There will be a life in a new place. I will have a family, someday. And we will be together. There will be new friends, friends from places unlike my own, people to learn from to grow with. There will be new things to try, new experiences. There will be children to hang out with- mine and the kids in the town or village I live in. There will be a body of Christ to worship with abroad and at home--wherever home may be at the time. And there will be moments when a women sees Jesus for the first time in a coffee shop. Where a group of children memorize Psalm 23 and claim it for their own. Where a father commits his life-his family to the glory and honor of the Lord. Where a young man and his young wife decide to go and pastor a new church. Oh, there will be Joy.

And that is the call.
For now, I will be a sender. But one day, I will be the one to go.

Hallelujah.

this weekend.

November 5-7, 2010
those 2 tests, a project and paper will have to wait.
I am so excited about this weekend.

so. excited.