7 Quick Takes - My Weekly Wrap-Up

1.

Vocation and Calling - So... this week I lead the discussion/devotional time for our community group, and the topic I picked is vocation and calling. Since I have struggled the last few years to discern what to do with my life, this is a big one for me, and the only problem is there's not nearly enough time to go through all of the material that I've discovered on the topic! I'll probably write about it on my theology blog next week. The big question is - does God call us all to something in particular? If not, how do we discern what to do with our lives that glorifies Him?

2.

The Great State of Texas - Speaking of my theology/politics blog, this week I wrote over there about an article in The Economist this week called "America's Future: California vs. Texas". I am a Texas dweller but there isn't really any love lost between me and my state of residence. Still, I do appreciate a lot about what makes Texas so strong at the moment.

3.

New Music! - I have discovered new music. I am currently obsessed with Josh Garrels. I'm waiting until next month to buy a cd so for now I'm just going to his website and watching his videos on vimeo. Also in the world of music, I wrote this week about why I love country music despite not growing up with it at all.

4.

Family - My parents flew in from overseas last week, and they spent last weekend with us. This week I've been recovering and thinking about it all. For those of you who don't know me well, my parents work with an NGO overseas and I am the oldest of six kids, including my youngest brother Matt, who has Downs Syndrome and brings a unique dynamic to our wonderful family. There's some tough things that go along with bringing a child with Downs Syndrome into schools in America, and my family is really processing that. On the other hand, it was SO GOOD just to spend time with my siblings and show them that I love them.

From Summer 2009

From Summer 2009

5.

Jazz and Dancing - On Saturday Isaac and I are joining the roomies to watch life jazz in a nearby park. Last weekend we tried but only got in on the last couple of songs, but it was still so fun to see couples dancing on the sidewalk and ice cream and wine being enjoyed all around. We were there with my family and Matt (above) totally got into the mood and started busting out spontaneous dance moves that had all the people around cheering for him. His dance moves were very random, though, and included dropping to the floor and doing push ups. Hilarious. Oh and speaking of dancing, I LOVED Brandon and Janine on So You Think You Can Dance this week.

6.

Love and Marriage... Next week marks four years of marriage for Isaac and I. We're going low-key because we're spending that weekend at a lake with our friends. Isaac did plan to take me to the 6th Floor museum (about the assassination of JFK, we heard it was a great museum and wanted to go). Unfortunately, my whole family decided to go while they were here and Isaac gave me a hard time about ruining his secret museum and a nice dinner out plans! It was total points for him, though, he is NOT a planner and I was just shocked that he had planned out nice date that far ahead of time! He's still totally working off the points he earned from that and randomly bringing home tulips for me this week! Seriously, he has never done that in the four years we've been married.... I don't really understand what inspired it other then that he loves me, and that... is fantastic.

7.

Movies - We watched Changeling this week. Yikes. It was heavy and thick with things that were unpleasant to watch. Still, it was a stunning story of a mother fighting for her child. Unfortunately, it just doesn't wrap up the way you'd wish it would..